HL Deb 15 August 1838 vol 44 cc1295-6

Viscount Melbourne moved the third reading of the Tin Duties Bill.

Lord Lyndhurst

opposed the bill. George the Fourth and William the Fourth had both refused to assent to such a proposition, and he thought it, at the least, rather extraordinary, that the very first year of the reign of a young Sovereign of only nineteen years of age, and a female, should be selected for carrying it into effect. He would move, that the bill be read a third time this day three months.

Viscount Melbourne

said, that he never would have advised the Crown to consent to this bill, if he did not believe, that the rights of the Crown were well secured. The only object of the bill was to get rid of the evils and inconveniences of the present unpopular and difficult system of collecting the revenue of the duchy of Cornwall, and it was because the bill did effect a remedy of those evils and inconveniences, that he supported it. He gave the noble and learned Lord full credit for the delicacy of his feelings, but he thought it was carrying that delicacy too far to say, that they should not alter or reform an obnoxious system unless the Sovereign was of an advanced age and consented to it. He trusted, that the bill would be read a third time.

The Duke of Wellington

said, that it was absolutely necessary to proceed with great caution in a measure affecting such interests as were affected by the present bill. He could confirm the statement of his noble and learned Friend with regard to the two preceding Sovereigns; he had served them both, and he was sure, that they would never have given their consent to the adoption of a measure of this de- scription. He could see no reason what ever for proposing this measure at this period of the Session.

The Marquess of Lansdowne

said, that the simple object of this bill was to put the revenues of the duchy of Cornwall on a more secure footing, and to render the collection of them less difficult. He trusted, therefore, that their Lordships would not reject the bill.

The House divided:—Contents 27; Not-contents 26: Majority for the third reading 1.

Bill read a third time.