THE CORN LAWS.

HL Deb 01 October 1841 vol 59 cc1046-9

The Earl of Radnor,

on presenting some petitions which had been sent to him from New Sarum and other places, praying for the total repeal of the Corn-laws, said, he would take that opportunity of expressing his deep regret at finding that Parliament was about to be prorogued without entering into the consideration of that most important subject—the state of the Corn-laws. Ministers, be thought, incurred a fearful responsibility in allowing the two Houses to separate without entering into some inquiry on that question, to which he considered the Government pledged by what fell from the noble Duke (Duke of Wellington) opposite in the discussion on the amendment to the address on the first day of the Session. The noble Duke had given what he had considered a pledge on that occasion, that the question should be referred to a Committee, by saying that he should not object to an inquiry in the usual way. But now it seemed that the Government intended to postpone any consideration of the subject until next Session. He presumed that the Parliament would not meet before February. He therefore looked upon this as virtually a postponement of any measure on the subject for a year, or perhaps a year and a half, for the experience which their Lordships had had of the very tardy manner in which the proceedings of Committees were conducted, would tell them that it was probable the inquiry, even if it should commence early in the next Session, would not be brought to a conclusion when the Session should be at its close. So that any measure which the Committee might recommend, could not be brought forward until the Session following. Was that the way in which this great subject was to be left, at a time when the people were suffering great distress in many parts of the country? Their Lordships had seen that the sliding scale was a most unsafe system, for it kept the price of corn most oppressively high in some instances, and in others it did not afford that security to the home grower which it was intended to give. If corn was at 66s. the quarter, foreign corn could not be imported at less than 20s. per quarter duty, thus making it 86s. to the consumer. By the last averages, the duty had come down to 1s. per quarter duty, and at that duty about 1,700,000 quarters of foreign corn had come into the country. Now, according to the returns made by several of our consuls abroad, wheat could be grown there, and sent to this country at 40s. 10¾d. per quarter; and if this were correct, what, let him ask, was the actual sum paid by the consumer on each quarter of this 1,700,000 quarters? Why, it amounted to not less than 31s. 6d. per quarter. This sum, he need not say, did not go to the Government in the shape of duty. No, but it went into the pockets of the foreign growers, to the grievous oppression of the poor consumers at home. But he did not believe that the returns of the consuls were quite correct. Taking, however, the price of foreign corn here at 12s. more than this 40s., still the consumer here would have to pay 20s. per quarter more than the 52s.; that was, he would have to pay 72s. for every quarter of corn he consumed. Was this a price to which the poor people could reach, suffering as they were in the greatest possible degree throughout the country? He was in the country at the opening of Parliament, and on looking at the votes he saw, amongst the first objects of its attention, a Committee appointed on the ventilation of the two Houses of Parliament, and a bill for uniting Frogmore Lodge to Windsor Castle. Could he have done otherwise than turn from the perusal with disgust, when he found no mention made of the distresses of the people, or of any measure calculated for their relief? The distresses of the people were not denied, yet nothing was done, or even pro- mised, for their relief, if it were only to show them that Parliament did not turn a deaf ear to their prayers. He could not give any more fit name to such a course than the height of folly and of cruelty. When the noble Duke was in office before, there was great distress in the country, and nothing was done to relieve it. The result was, that the greatest discontent prevailed. He would not detain their Lordships longer, but would conclude by again expressing his deep regret that Ministers should have advised her Majesty to prorogue Parliament without entering into the consideration of the distress which prevailed, with the view of providing some relief.

The Duke of Wellington

said, he would not follow the noble Earl into any discussion on the Corn-laws on the present occasion, for the reason which he had assigned on a former evening—that it would be impossible to enter into any inquiry at the present period which would lead to any practical result. He did not mean to deny, that there was distress in some parts of the country, but it was not arising from want of food. There was a large supply of corn in the country, though it might be somewhat dear. The noble Earl had referred to what he had stated on a former evening, as implying a pledge for an inquiry.

The Earl of Radnor

What he said was, that the noble Duke had said he would not object to inquiry in the usual way.

The Duke of Wellington

What he said on the occasion referred to was, that if the subject (of a change in the Corn-laws) were to be considered as a measure of finance, it should be considered in a committee; but by that he did not pledge the Government or himself, or anybody, to take that particular course, and most certainly he should not be understood as being favourable to an inquiry at the present time, which, he would repeat, could lead to no practical result. Under these circumstances, he was ready to take his share of the responsibility of advising her Majesty to prorogue Parliament until the measures were ready, which would be submitted for its consideration; and until due time could be afforded for that consideration. It would be impossible to consider the subject to which the noble Earl referred at this time, or to get that attendance of Members which would be de- sirable; and let him add, that he had no reason to believe, that the public would be in any degree inconvenienced by post-poning the question till full time should be given for its discussion.

The Earl of Radnor

felt sure, that if important measures were brought under the consideration of the Houses of Parliament, there would be found no deficiency of attendance.

Petition laid on the Table.