The Sun.
London, England, 1831-02-03 00:00:00

COAL TRADE.

The Marquis of LONDONDERRY presented a peti-
tion from Belfast, praying for the repeal of the duties on
Coal,. It was the Noble Marquis's earnest wish that
Parliament would follow up the recommendation of the
Committee on this important subject. He entreated their
Lordships to give the subject their most earnest attention,
for he had no hesitation in saying it was one of the most
grievous taxes upon the poorer class that could possibly be
conceived. lie wished to know from the Noble Earl at
the head of his Majesty's Government whether his Ma-
jesty's Ministers had made up their minds to relieve his
Majesty's subjects front this grievous tax.

Earl' GREY observed that, in answer to the Noble
Marquis, he only considered it necessary to state, that this
matter had certainly been under the attention of his
Majesty's Government, and he trusted that in a short
time, when the whale state of national arrangement which
his Majesty's Ministers intended to recommend should be
brought before the House, the intentions of the Goven-
ment on this subject would be fully explained, and till that
period he declined making any other answer to the Noble
L'n.d.—( Hear, hear.)
The NOBLE EARL then presented petitions praying for
Parliamentary Reform from Cumberland, Carrickfergus,
Bishop Auckland, Dumbarton, Paisley, and several other
places. In doing so the Noble Earl observed that it would
not be necessary for him at present to state his opinions
on this subject, though evidently they did not go the length
of acceding to all the propositions mentioned in the petitions.
In the general measures, however, he entirely concurred.
He had stated to the House in the beginning of the pre-
sent Session that he was perfectly convinced of the
propriety of the soundness of the principle, and of
the salutary effects of this great measure, when
carried into execution. He had tilt convinced of the ne-
cessity of looking to this question with the greatest atten-
tion, and by the adoption of sore efficient measures for
the purpose of carrying it into effect. He felt exceedingly
happy in being enabled to tell their Lordships, though his
Majesty's Ministers had found it a work of considerable
difficulty, yet they had at last succeeded in framing a mea-
sure which he trusted would correspond with the prayer
of some of the petitions—a measure which the Ministers
trusted they had effected, without exceeding the bonds of
justice and of well-advised moderation.—(Hear, hear.)—.
Vole measures had met with the entire concurrence of
every one of his Majesty's Ministers, and they would he
presented at as early a period as possible to the attention
of the °liner House of Parliatnent.—(Hear, hear.)
Earl DARNLEY presented several petitions of a like
nature. In doing so the Noble Earl congratulated their
Lordships on what had fallen from the Noble Earl at the
bead of his Majesty's Government. He bad not the least
doubt that the plan of Reform which the Noble Ea' 1
and his colleagues would present to the House, would be
such as would meet with the most cordial approbaion of the
country in general, with the exception only of those who
looked forward to a revolution.—Hear, hear. lie trusted
also that his Majesty's Ministers had not been unmindful of
the '.ate of Ireland.
Lord fr;iLBORNE felt no hesitation in saying that the
plan of Reform :7Nish his Majesty's Ministers intended to
adopt would meet with the approbation of the House and
the country in genera!, with the exception of those
who looked for a Revolution. As the Noble Earl who
had just sat down had adverted to the state of Ireland, he
begged to assure Lim, that notwithstanding the very
heavy pressure of business which his Majesty's Government
had had to contend with, yet the earliest attention had
been given them for the adoption of such remedial mea-
sures as would be necessary for the interests of that country.
Anti be tt usted when those measures came before the House
they would he found sufficient to relieve in a very great
degree the distresses under which unhappily Ireland la-
boured. Those measures would shortly be submitted to
the other House of Parliament.
Earl WICKLOW rose, and was
(LIFT SPEAKING.)