Sitting of 10 March 1824

SILK TRADE.
Mr. Ellicerose to present a petition from the Ribbon-weavers and Silk-manufacturers of Coventry, against the proposed alteration in the laws relative to the Silk Manufacture. The petition had, he said, been in his hands some days, but had not been previously presented, through mistake. He presented it now for the purpose of availing himself of the opportunity of stating, that the leading men in the trade had received an explanation from the Treasury that morning, which gave them the most complete satisfaction. Those of Coventry had already left town with the determination of putting all their people into immediate active employment.
The House having resolved itself into a committee to consider of the Silk Bounties, Mr. Huskisson moved "That one half of the bounties on the exportation of silk manufactures shall be allowed on all such manufactures as having been warehoused, shall be taken out for home consumption within thirty days after the 5th of April 1824."
Mr. Ellicerepeated, that the deputation of silk manufacturers from the country, who had waited on the chancellor of the Exchequer on this subject, had returned home perfectly satisfied, and had considered themselves very liberally dealt with by his majesty's government. There was to be a meeting of silk manufacturers of the city of London that day, for the purpose of pressing on government, and on parliament, a further extension of time. Knowing what he did of the temper of the House, he had recommended the parties to desist from any such application; lest, should the matter be again brought under consideration, a curtailment, instead of an extension of time, should be the consequence. He
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thought it was much better to let the matter stand as it was, especially as his majesty's government had certainly done every thing in their power to diminish the inconveniences which might result from the proposed measure.
Mr. Huskissonobserved, that undoubtedly he did not conceive that any proposition for a further extension of time would be favourably received by the House. In his own opinion, the time which had been granted, was not at all called for; but he had ceded it, in deference to the feelings of the parties interested, and with a view to conciliate, as much as possible, those who thought their interests might suffer by the measure.
Mr. Alderman Woodsaid, that some of the smaller dealers were under apprehension lest their goods must go through the hands of the great manufacturers.
Mr. Huskissonreplied, that every thing would be done that could be done to facilitate the matter. The goods would be received in parcels, and there would be only such precautions used as were necessary to ascertain that they were really new.
The resolution was agreed to.

SURVEY AND VALUATION OF IRELAND.
Mr. Spring Ricesaid, he rose to move two resolutions; the one declaratory of the expediency and necessity of a new Survey and Valuation of Ireland, the other for the appointment of a select committee on the subject. It would not be necessary for him to detain the House long, as he understood there was no intention to oppose his motion. In fact, when an hon. friend of his gave notice of this motion for him, he was not aware that there was a sum in the estimates for the year to be applied to the very purpose of carrying such a survey into effect. He was glad to find that his majesty's government thought with him on the subject; and, so far would his motion be from interfering with their intentions, that he hoped it would prove in cordial unison with them. It was indispensable that an affair of such magnitude should be first considered in all its details by a select committee of that House.
Mr. Dawsonexpressed his perfect concurrence in the hon. gentleman's views, and his hope that the whole subject would be fully and satisfactorily discussed. For himself, he was particularly interested in it; for he represented a county which had

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suffered more from the present system than any other in Ireland. He trusted that this would be only the beginning of an amelioration of the evils occasioned by the very large and unequal rates now levied in Ireland by grand jury and parochial assessments. Nothing could be more grossly incorrect and deceptive than the present surveys.
Colonel Trenchstrongly recommended that the new surveys should be made under the direction of the Board of Ordnance. They would then be executed by men of science, and would be uniform and satisfactory.
Sir J. Newportexpatiated on the evils of the present system, but was of opinion, that if the surveys were executed by the Ordnance, they would take too much time, and when completed would not be sufficient for the required purpose.
Mr. D. Browne, as an instance of the inaccuracy of the present surveys, mentioned that a gentleman of the name of M. Farlan had surveyed the county of Mayo, when it was covered with snow.
Mr. Goulburnthought an Ordnance survey a necessary preliminary. An accurate map of the country would be an excellent foundation for further proceedings. The committee, however, would be the place in which this and all other matters of detail might be most advantageously discussed.
The resolution was then agreed to.