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London, England, 1825-02-24 00:00:00

opposing it, and getting the llonee to reverse its decisinns ?
would recommend lion. 31emiliers to take care of the interests of
their constituents, but he would also recommend that they should
sometime. neglect their own interests. If it would affect the in.
terest of their constituents to disqualify them front voting on
Bills in they were interested. let them give up their interest.
He would suggest that a small Committee should be appointed for
examining private Bills. and that they should sit as Judges, and
be responsible for their acts.
Mr. HUME rose to give notice, that on Friday next he would
move the Hauge, in order to determine how far the custom of Par-
liament has gone, in disqualitying persomeharing a direct interest
from voting hi-Committees on private DIA. He had no doubt
that the custom of the House was sutfieder.-. to determine this ques-
tion in the most satisfactory manner.
Sir M. W. RIDLEI thought that much must be allowed to'
rest upon the feelings of Hon. Members. He knew that Coin.
miners took considerable trouble to sift the fact, and consider the
suggestions that Hon. Members might make.
After some other unimportant observations. the debate con.
cluded, and the petition was ordered to lie upon the table.
A'FLANTIC .SNI) PACIFIC SHIP CANAL.
A Bill was brought in for flue incorporation of the Atlantic and
Pacific Ship Canal Company.
CATIIIkLIC ASSOCIATION.
Colonel WHITE presented a petition from the Catholic inha-
bitants of the parishes of St. Peter's and St. Mary's, against the
Bill for the suppression of the Catholic Association—Ordered to
lie On the table.
Sir J. STUART presented a petition from the nobility, gentry,
aad clergy orate county of Tyrone, praying fur the suppression of
the Catholic A remeiation.— Laid on the table.
(i'aptain PER Ll' presented a petition from the Roman Ca.
tholic inhabitants of the County of Meath. against the Bill now
in progress fur thesuppreasiun of Illegal Societies—Ordered to be
printed.
Mr. J. S3IITII presented a petition from the inhebitants of tha •
town of Skibbe.reen, in the county of Cork, against the suppres.
lion of the Roman Catholic Assoriatiors. The petitioners assured
the House, that their sentiments of loyally remained unaltered, but
they were desirous of repelling the imputations east upon the Ito-
, man Catholic Association, which had contributed largely to a more
equal administration of justice in Ireland.—!,aid on the table.
. Sir MAIICUS Sf/3IERVIL,LE tel petitions from the
inhabitants of two baronies in the County of ;Meath, against the
I Bill for the suppression of the Catholic Association.—Laid on the
ta • le.
IIUNCANNON presented a petition from the Roman
Catholic inhabitants of Carrick-un-Suir, in favour of the Catholic
Association.—Ordered to be printed.
ASSESSED TAXES.

Sir M. W. RI Da ipresen ;petition from the town of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, against Ole House and Window TAX.—
Laid on the table.

Sir T. ACLA NI) presented a petition from Ashburton. praying
for a repeal of the !louse Tex ' • and a second from the same,,
against the Duties on Coll.—Ordered to be printed.
Lord FOLKSTONI presented a petition from the inhabitants
of the parish of 31ary-la.bonne, praying the repeal of the Assessed
Taxes.—Laid on the table.

A similar velition was presented from the inhabitants of Shore-
ditch, againat the Window Tax.
Alr. CURTEIS moved fur Returns of the amount of all tines,

eatrestinents, and penalties, paid into his Nlsjcsty's Court of Ex-
chequer ; also the names of the Clerks and Commissioners receiv-
ing the same, from the Ist of January, 1822, to the Ist of January,
11123.—Ordered.

COAL, DUTIES.
Mr. LA3I BTON presented a petition from the ship-owners of
Sunderland, against the duties on sea-borne coals.—Laid on the
table.
A similar petition was presented from the ii.habitants of the port
of Rye, praying a repeal of the Duty on Coals.
LAND-T.I.X. '

Mr. WA RRE presented a petition from the inhabitants of
Taunton, praying an equalization of the land-tax.
Mr. A. BARING thought the land-tax, as at present
was a most arbitrary assessment, and extremely unequal and ob-
noxious in its operation, particularly that portion of it which at
fected the interests of shopkeepers. The whole produce of that
part of the tax did not exceed 5,000!. of which the town of Taunton
paid nearly 300/. The power of the Commissioners, under whose
authority this tax was levied, was far too extensive and undefined,
and the tax itself a vexatious and unproductive one.
Mr. HUME had moved for a Return of the proceeds of the tax
three rears ago. He thought it necessary to regulate and restrain
the powers of the Commissioners authorised to collect the tax.
They were at present obligel to collect a specific sum, but were not
virtually restrained from collecting a much larger sum than that
required by law; and he believed, notwithstanding the heavy pe-
nalties against peculation in that department, much more money
was collected than was authorised by law. This money was ex-
pended in dinners and festivities. He would call upon the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer to prosecute the individuals concerned in
such practices. It was not worth the while of individuals to take
this matter up and subject themselves to the expenses incident to a
prosecution. The Law Officers of the Crown should be employed
to detect and punish such malveesations. Were regular Returns of
the tax made, and subjected telnyeetigation, he had no doubt half
a million a year Might be saved to the country in this branch of
revenue alone. Notwithstanding the increase of new buildings, the
tax continued the same upon the old houses as it had been, and
was not diminished upon those newly erected. The Tax.office
constituted no check upon the collection of the tax. Supposing the
quota for Bedfordshire to be 5,500/. there existed nothing to pre-
vent the collection of 10,0001. But what was to become of the sue
plus ? Ile thought a Committee should be appointed for the tures-
ifration oldie matter.
'Mr. C. CALVERT thought that none were greater sufferers
than his own constituents, and he would give his support to any
measure likely to remove the unequal pressure of the obnoxious
tax.

Sir R. WILSON would leave the measures to be adopted in the
hands of the lion. Member opposite (Mr. Ilerrieg), on the under-
standing that he would give the matter that consideration which its
importance demanded.
Mr. HERMES admitted that there might exist no unfounded
cause for complaint of over-assessmenol. Gentlemen should how-
ever bear in mind the difficulties the Treasury had to encounter in
dealing with such abuses. Ile would, in the course of a few days,
be prepared with a measure to prevent over-assessments in the de-
partment complained of. NVith respect to the other point which
had been alluded t, in the course of the debate (the assessment of
the Stock Tax), fiT was not prepared to go that length, as he con-
ceived it embraced greater alterations than be could introduce in
his intended measure.

Mr. C. CALVERT hoped the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. /ferries)
would not originates Bill on the subject himself, that at least the
Rill which he plr. C. Calvert) should think it necessary to bring
in, would receive his support.
CirirrEis and Mr. W. SMITH made a few observations, and
the petition was ordered to be printed.
Mr. S. RICE moved for the re-appointment of the Committee of
last Session, to take into consideration the local taxation of the city
of Dublin.

A Con maw was accordingly appointed, with power to send fur
persons, paper., and records.
DISSENTERS' MARRIAGE BILL.

Mr. W. SMITH moved the second reading of the Bill to relieve
Dissenters from the necessity of complying with the marriage cere-
monies appointed by the ritual of the Established Church.
The Bill was committed, and ordered to be read a third time on
Friday. the dth of March.
3lr. T. ELLIS presented a petition from the carriers of the city
of Dublin, against the assimilation of the English and Irish duties
upon leather.—Laid on the table.
GREENWICH' HOSPITAL

Mr.C. CALVERT moved for Returns of the amount of seamen's
sixpences received from merchant ships, especially Indiamen, for
the support of Greenwich Hospital, distinguishing the several
ports, and the names of the vessels.
Mr. CHOKER had no objection to the Returns required, but ob-
served it would necessarily be a very voluminous Accuunt.
Ordered.
WINDOW TAX.

Mr. 11011110 USE nave notice of arnotion fur the repeal of the
window tax, on the lith of March.
BANK OF ENGLAND.

Mr. GRENFELL moved fur an Account of public balances in
the hands of tl.c Bank of England, and of sums paid for the ma.
nagement of the national debt.
Mr. II U3IE understood that the cl:erge fur the management of
the public debt amounted to two bandied and sixty-seven thousand
pounds, which was one hundred and sixty-seven more than was
necessary.--Ordered.
NAVAL PROMOTIONS.

Mr. HIJAIE moved for Returns of all Midshipmen promoted to
be Lieutenants ; Lieutenants to Commanders ; Commanders to
Captains ; Captains to Rear. Admirals ; Rear-Admirals to Vice-
Admirals, ice. during the last year.—Ordered.
Mr. HUM R moved for Returns to show the number of officers on
whole and half pay ; also the number placed upon whole pay from
the Retires! List, from the Bth of January, 1824, to the 13th of
January. 11125.
Mr. CROKER thought it would be more convenient to have the
Returns up to the Ist olJanuary.
Ordered.
Mr. HUME moved for Returns of all promotions which have
hikers place in the Royal Marines; also of all officers placed from
halt to full pay, since January, 1824; and for a return of the total
numler of Royal Marines in January. 18:45.—Ordered.
STATE OF THE NAVY.
Mr. 111531 E moved foe a Return of the number of ships built
since January 1815. distinguishing their names, sizes, whether
built in this country or India; in what dock-yards they were; what
means were taken for their preservation, whether coal tar had been
used for that purpose: also, the number of months each has been
in service, and where engaged.
Sir G. CLERK said, that so far from having any oli:tection to
the granting the Return called for, he was anxious to give every
information on the subject. lie was anxious to show the very effi-
cient state in which the naval force of the country was (hear, hear),
and the great superiority which the vessels lately built held OVID
those built at more distant periods.
Ordered.