The Express.
London, England, 1853-04-06 00:00:00

DECIMAL COINAGE.

Mr. J. B. 3MITFi ufcel the Chancellor of the Ex.
chequer whether it was the intaition of the government to
carry out a system of decimal coinage, and, specially, whe.
ther the intended new copper coinage would be iuucd on a
decimal basis ?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—There is
no intention on the part of the government to make any
change in the immediate arrangements that are to be
adopted with respect to the supply of additional copper
coinage for Ireland and the colonies which has been found
so absolutely necessary. With respect to t►e general ques-
tion as to decimal coinage, I have to say that the govern-
ment feels that great attention is due to the arguments of
those who have recommended such a chanqe ; but the go-
vernment is likewise of opinion that it is • matter
of grant importance, of great delicacy, and that the
alterinx the character of those particular coins which
arc in point of fact the measure of value, and the basis of
the whole idea of value, to the mass of the population, is a
very serious change, and ought not to be undertaken in
obedience to mere abstract considerations, without our hav-
ing well ascertained that the ground under our feet is
secure. (Hear, hear.) The course which will be taken is
this. An hon. member of this house has expressed his in-
tention to moire for a select committee to inquire into the
whole subject; that motion will receive the support of the
government ; and the report of that committee may lead to
such an elucidation of the question as will enable us to
come to a satisfactory conclusion. (Hear, hear.)
THE BAR AND THE BRIBERY COMMISSIONS.
Mr. PHINN asked whether the Bribery Commissioners
who had bees or might speedily be appointed would pro-
' teed at once to the places to which their powers applied ?
He asked the question because members of the bar ac-
cepted these appointments rather as a matter of honour
than of emolument; and it would be an obvious inconve-
nience for them to be called awaT at a period, viz., be-
tween this and August, when their professional business
was moat urgent. (Laughter.)
Lord J. RUSSELL—ReaIIy it appears to me, consider-
ing the rights of these boroughs are involved—(laughter)—
that as soon u the House of Lords shall have considered the
addresses to the crown, the crown would at once require
the persons nominated to proceed to their duties. (Laughter.)
-- THE MISCELLANEOUS ESTIMATES.

Mr. W. WILLIAMS complained that the
estimates, which they would be called upon to consider on
Friday neat, had not yet been distributed.
Mr. J. WILSON—They will be distributed on Thursday.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS—WeII, bat there will be no time to
consider them.
_Meat, hear.)
BRIBERY AT HULL.—COMMISSION OF

INQUIRY.
Mr. LABOUCRERE moved, pursuant to notice, for an
"address to her Majesty for a commission of inquiry into
the borough of Hull." Of the three gentlemen he
yid named for the ennashsion, Mr. Rowe would be
unable in eatenpnace a pressure of professional
laths: to acme the Wise; but that Mr. (we
did not eat& tie nose) would save in his place. The
wirer woo* Yr. W. Forsyth and Mr. B. Brett.
Mr. di lad riot, with post satisfaction to all per-
del... of Oho osswissioosso Is the St.Alban's case.
WALPOLS—Is woo Tory desirable that in these
win 1M omodwice should not be appointed without full
atria kiwi given of the names ; and as one
M tho owassaood same had been withdrawn, end another
sabolituistle podwp the right hon. gentleman would post-
pone the mosiftwat to another day.
Mr. LAMOOMIRI admitted the desirableness of giv-
be nodes of smog ; owl had given the notice, but as as
seespected substitution led had to be made, he hoped a
postponement would not be insisted on. To postpone the
appointments would be to postpone the motion altogether;
mad a delay would be very inconvenient. With regard to
the preliminary obsavvetions of the right hon. gentleman,
haloould not understand their purport, but he hoped le
understood the right boa gentleman not to intend the so-