The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-20 00:00:00

in favour of the Public Houses (Scotland) Bill ; also a
petition from the same city against university tests in
Scotland.

Mr. GORE-presented petitions from the native inha-
bitants of Calcutta, and also from the Armenians of Ben-
gal, praying for the redress of their grievances by the
Legislature.
Mr. M. GIBSON presented a petition from the Free-
man's Journal, praying that the advertisement duty be
repealed and not reduced.
Mr. HADFIELD presented a petition from Sheffield
praying for a thorough investigation before the house
renewed the East India Company's charter.
Mr. BELL presented a petition from Maidstone
against the Church rates.
Mr..HUME presented a petition from Stirling against
the Maynooth grant ; also a petition from the council
of the Liverpool Financial Reform Association against
any increase in the interest allowed on the national debt.
Mr. MIALL presented two petitions in favour of the
separation of Church and State.
Mr. PACKE presented a petition from Leicestershire,
praying for some alteration in prison discipline.
Mr. COWPER presented a petition from Hertford n
favour of international arbitration.

Sir J. PAKINGTON presented a petition from Tri-
nidad in favour of the reduction in the rate of colonial
postage.

PROBATE BILL.
Mr. G. DUNCAN presented a petition from the ma-
gistrates and Town Council of the royal burgh of Dun-
dee in favour of the Probate Bill now now before the

louse, and praying that its enactments may be extended
Scotland.

LAW OF PARTNERSHIP, &c.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE asked the President of the

Board of Trade, whether a commission had been issued

to inquire into the Law of Partnerships and, if so,
whether it was probable that any measure would be in-
troduced' during the present session founded upon the
report of that commission ; also, whether it was the in-
tention of her Majesty's Government to take any steps
towards enforcing the imperial measure, for the purpose
of protecting the public against the frauds notoriously
practised by the sale of beer in bottles containing con-
siderably less than the legal measure.
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Mr. CARD WELL said, in answer to the first ques-
tion, that he had been in communication with the Lord
Chancellor on the subject, and a commission was about
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which was likely to settle this difficult question.
(Hear, hear.) He did not think it was reasonable
to expect that the Government could make the
report of this commission the foundation of a mea-
sure to be introduced in the present session. With
regard to the second question, it was a matter not within
his executive authority, and he was not aware that the
Government intended to take any measures in reference
to it. (A. laugh.)
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said, he understood the matter
rested either with the Treasury or the Home-office.
Could the Secretary of the Treasury say whether he had
any remedy to suggest for this great evil, and if not,
,could_ the Secretary of State for the Home Depart-
ment give any information • on the subject? (A. laugh.)
Mr. WILSON believed his hon. friend would,
have to go round the
house before he could get
the information he required. (Hear, and a laugh.)
Since the duty on glass was repealed, the Government
took no cognizance of the manufacture of bottles. He
believed, however, that every person had a remedy for
the evil very much in his own hands, for if he purchased
a quart bottle of beer which contained less than a quart,

he could seek redress before a magistrate.
NORWICH ELECTION.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE postponed his mption with re•
spect to the withdrawal of the Norwich election petition

Until the 16th of May.
MINISTERS' MONEY IN IRELAND.

In reply to Mr. MAGUIRE,
Lord J. RUSSELL said the Government could not
at present give notice of the introduction of a bill for
the abolition of ministers' money in Ireland, but :they
would do so at the earliest opportunity.
INDIAN TERRITORIES.
Mr. BRIGHT wished to know whether the house
could be furnished, week by week, with the evidence
taken before the committee on Indian territories, as it
would be very inconsistent to have to go through a
book of enormous thickness only a week before the bill
of the Government was brought in 9 (Hear.)
Sir C. WOOD said he was not quite competent to
answer the question, not being the chairman of the com-
mittee. It was proposed, however, when the military
and judicial branches of the inquiry were brought to a

close, which would probably be in a few days, to ;print
that-portion of the evidence.
Mr. DISRAELI wished to know on what day the
Government proposed to lay before the house their plan
for the administration of the affairs of India ?

Lord J. RUSSELL was understood to say that they
hoped to do so on this day week.
INCOME TAX.

In reply to Mr. H. HERBERT,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
Government did not intend to draw any distinction be-
tween the money advanced to Ireland for carrying out
the poor law and that advanced for relieving the distress
in Ireland during the famine. These two sums together
amounted to about five-and-a-half millions, and repre-
sented the consolidated annuities. The Government
proposed to remit that debt entirely if the house should
consent to extend the income tax to the sister kingdom.