Earl Radnorrose to present forty petitions from Jersey and other places, in favour of an uniform Penny-Rate of Postage. The noble Lord said, that great anxiety prevailed in the City of London and the Manufacturing Districts of the Country, to know what were the plans of the Government on this subject. The resolutions to be proposed in the House of Commons not having been yet declared, and there having been no application for a Bill, the Petitioners were afraid that the Government would not have the necessary powers to carry the plan into effect for some time, and that it might be deferred for another year and a-half.
§ Viscount Melbournesaid, that undoubtedly it was the intention of the Government to carry into effect the plan referred to by his noble Friend, considering how it had been recommended, the strong interest it had excited, and the benefits and advantages that unquestionably belonged to it, with all practicable speed. His noble Friend was aware, that the introduction of this plan would make so great a change, that much preparation was absolutely necessary. He had understood that his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer had in another place given notice that he should bring forward this question at no very distant day. The House and also the public would then be put in possession of the intentions of the Government on the subject of the measures they intended to take; and he thought it would be more convenient not to enter into any discussion at present. At the same time he could state that the Government meant to adopt measures in the present Session of Parliament that would give them all power necessary for making the preparations required for carrying out this plan.