The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-07 00:00:00

REPEAL OF THE WINDOW-TAX.

Petitions against the window-tax were presented by
Mr. C. LusHINGToN, from the Westminster Reform As-
sociation, and byllr. HOLLAND, from the Mayor, Alder-
men, and burgesses of Lichfield.
Several other petitions were also presented against the
window-tax.
Colonel SIBTHORP presented a petition praying
for the abolition of the attorneys' certificate duty.
The Marquis of GRA.NBY presented a petition from
the Corporation of Stamford against the Papal ag-
gression.
Sir B. HALL presented a petition to the same effect,
signed by 14,500 of the inhabitants of St. Pancras.
LANDLORD AND TENANT LAW IN IRELAND.
Mr. J. O'CONNELL wished to ask the question, of
which he had given notice, viz., as to whether it was
the intention of her Majesty's Government to bring in
a Bill to amend the relations between landlord and
tenant in Ireland; and if so, at what time it will be in-
troduced?
Sir W. SOMERVILLE said that it was his intention
at present to introduce some measure upon the subject,
but what the particular nature of the measure might be,
or at what time it would be introduced, he could not at
the present time possibly say.
STAMP ACT FOR IRELAND.

Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL wished to ask if it was
the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill to
amend the Stamp Act of last session (13 and 14 Vic., c.
97), or so much of it as confines the trial of all Stamp
appeals to her Majesty's Court of Exchequer at West-
minster, instead of allowing those arising in Ireland to
oe tried in that country ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that he was sorry to say he could not answer the Hon.
and Learned Member's question satisfactorily.
AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS.
_ _

Mr. DISRAELI said that, seeing that the Hon. Mem-
ber for East Yorkshire (Mr. Cayley) was in his place,
he would bog to ask him a question, and trusted to re-
ceive a favourable reply. He had himself given notice of
kmotion for Tuesday week far considering the distress
which prevailed in the agricultural districts, as it had
been remarked upon in her Majesty's Speech. But the
Hon. Member (Mr. Cayley) had preceded him with a
notice for the same day, fur the consideration of the abo•
lition of the malt-tax. Now, as the motion of which be
had given notice embraced the whole of the suffering
endured under the malt-tax, the question which he de-
sired to ask was, whether the Hon. Member would give
way to him and postpone his motion; and he was
induced to ask this question because he believed that
it would tend greatly to the convenience of the House
if the Hon. Member would postpone the motion of which
he had given notice.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. CAYLEY said that, seeing the experience which
he had obtaiaed last session of the result which occurred
when an independent Member consented to postpone
his motion; and that if he once allowed an interruption
of his proceediaga there was very little doubt but that he
would find himself postponed fur five months—(Hear,
hear, and laughter)—it was with considerable difficulty
that he prevailed upon himself to yield to the request
which had just been made to him—(Hear, hear, and
cheers)—yet, seeing the truth of his observations, and
considering his position, he could not do otherwise than
ask the Honourable Member for Buckinghamshire
( Mr. Disraeli) if, in the event of his own motion
failing, he would himself undertake the malt tax?
Mr. DISRAELI thanklully accepted the concession
of the Hon. Member, and, as it might tend to the con-
venience of the House, he would now state the sub-
stance of the motion which he intended to propose.
It was to this ;effect—" Seeing that the distress which
so extensively prevailed in the agricultural districts had
been markedly noticed in her Majesty's Speech, it was
the hope of the House that her Majesty's Ministers
would shortly introduce some measure for the relief of
that distress."—(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
DIFFERENTIAL DUTIES LEVIED ON BRITISH
SHIPPING IN SPANISH PORTS.

Mr. ANDERSON wished to ask Vi!.-count Palmer-
ston, whether he has yet been able to induce the Go-
vernment of Spain so far to reciprocate the commercial
policy of this country as to abandon the levying of
higher duties in the ports of Spain and her dependen-
cies on goods, when imported and exported in British
ships, than when imported and exported in Spanish ships?
Lord PALMERSTON said that several communica-
tions had passed between the two countries, but nothing
conclusive had yet resulted.
Mr. ANDERSON then gave notice that on the 18th
of February he should bring forward a motion with a
view to the abolishing of such differential duties.
ADVANCES TO IRELAND.

Mr. SADLEIFi wished to ask Sir John Ilomilly if he
intended to introduce before Easter the Securities for
Advances (Ireland) Bill, and a Bill to amend the En-
cumbered Estates Act?
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that it was his
intention to introduce a Bill on the subject, but could
not say at what time he should do so.
FIRE AT TIIE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
Mr. LAWLESS said that, seeing the Noble Lord at
the head of the Woods and Forests in his place, he
would repeat the questions which he had put last night.
Lord SEYMOUR, said that before he could an-
swer the questions he must make a few observations.
He had seen Mr. Barry to-,-,lay, and that gentleman said
he had not been able to ascertain the cause of the fire.
There was a great accumulation of wood in the tower.
The left of the tower, were the fire broke out, had been
locked all the morning, but when the fire was dis-
covered it was unlocked. With regard to the
of xt question, so far as the tower was concerned,
all the wood had been entirely removed.—(Laughter.)
There were eight tails for high and low water service
about the building. Of the four fcr high water service
two of them were empty—(Laughter)—while the water
in the other two was nut available at the time the fire

was raging.—(Laughter.) The low water tanks ought
to have bf•en charged, but Mr. Barry said they
were not.—(Laughter.) There were two reservoirs
available for the House, one in Orange-street and the
other on Constitution•hill, but they were too far off,
and Mr. Barry thonght it would be necessary to have
another capable of supplying water copiously in case of
fire about the House.—(Laughter.)