The Earl of Malmesburyrose, to move for some Returns, to which, he said, he understood his Majesty's
* This sum includes the expense of the repairs of docks, wharfs, and buildings; and the price of old Stores 104,000l. must be deducted to get at the sum voted by the House of Commons; there remains 680,000l. as the sum voted for Timber and other Stores in one year.—See Navy Estimates, for 1830, page 14.1255 Ministers would make no objection. The noble Earl accordingly moved for "a Return of the quantity of Wheat entered for home-consumption, under the Act of 9 Geo. 4th, cap. 60, in each week since the passing of the Act, with the amount of; duty received thereon; distinguishing the average price, and the rates of duty charged; also a Return of the aggregate average price of Wheat, from the first week of: October, 1828, to the second week in February, 1829; and also the same Return from the first week in October, 1829, to the second week in February, 1830." His wish was, to ascertain the quantity of Wheat entered weekly for home-consumption, since the passing of the Act alluded to in July, 1828. In seventeen months from that time, no less than 2,200,000 quarters of Wheat had been imported into this country, and he had no doubt but these large importations joined with the still greater importations of Wool, had contributed materially to cause the agricultural distress. By the last Return their Lordships would see, that the farmer had not been receiving, by 4s. per quarter, that price which the legislature deemed necessary as a remunerating price.—The Returns were ordered.