The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-14 00:00:00

CEYLON.

Mr. FITZSTEPHEN FRENCH said, that seeing his
Hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for the Colonies in his
place, he wished to ask him why the letter of Mr.
Glenny to Sir Emerson Tennent has not been printed
with the correspondence respecting Ceylon, lately de-
livered to Members, and whether he had any objection
now to lay it or its contents on the table of the House.
Mr. HAWES said that the letter to which his Hon.
Friend had referred wasone of anentirely private nature.
It was written by the Archdeacon of Colombo to Sir
Emerson Tennent, and it was required by the writer that
it should not be produced unless the whole of its spirit
was expressed. Sir E. Tennent did read so much of
the letter as was necessary to explain the matter to
which it referred, and to express its spirit. But the
letter itself was not in the possession of the Colooial-
office, and then-fore could not be produced.
OVERCROWDING OF WORKHOUSES IN
IRELAND.

Mr. P. SCROPE asked the Chief Secretary for Ire-
land whether it was true, as reported in the local jour-
nals, that the number of inmates in the Limerick union
workhouse exceeded the limit allowed by the sealed order
of the Poor-law Commissioners by more tha❑ 700, and,
if so, whether the Commissioners had taken any steps
thereupon?
Sir W. SOMERVILLE said it was quite true that
the pressure for accommodation in Limerick work-
house bad been very great for some time past, and,
according as that pressure exhibited the Com-
missioners had not failed to call the attention
of the Board of Guardians to it in order to induce them,
as far as laid in their power, to adopt some remedy. On
the 23d of Nov., the excess of inmates was 106, and on
the 28th of Dec. it had risen to 610, but in consequence
of the additional accommodation provided by the board of
guardians, it had, on the 4th of Jan., been reduced to
124. It was quite true that at one period, the Ist
of February, the excess of inmates exceeded the accom-
modation by 775. Then, again, in consequence of
fresh accommodation being provided, , it appeared
from the last report which bad reached him that
the excess of inmates had been reduced to 507;
hut the Honourable Gentleman should remember
that, though the excess was very large, yet
the workhouse accommodation of the Limerick
union was also enormous. When the excess was 507
the number of inmates actually accommodated within
the workhouse amounted to no less than 7,000. The
Hon. Member was under a mistake when he supposed
that the sanitary state of the workhouse was unsatisfac-
tory; on the contrary, he believed it was very satis-
factory, and that the medical officer was quite
satisfied with the accommodation and arrangements.
Mr. Lynch had been directed by the commissioners to
devote his attention entirely to the Limerick workhouse,
and he (Sir W. Somerville) bad no doubt that very soon
there would be an excess of accommodation as com-
pared with the number of people within the workhouse,
Mr. SCULLY asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
if it was the intention of Government to introduce any
measure this session to correct the mode of taking the
general valuation of Ireland (now in progress.)
Sir W. SOMERVILLE replied that it was his inten-
tion on Monday next to ask leave of the House to in-
troduce a Bill to amend the laws relating to the Valua-
tion of property in Ireland. _ _ _

Mr, 11. O.SBORNE moved for a return of the names
of all persons holding any offices in the Incunabered
Estates Court in Ireland, with the amount of salary
paid to each, and stating whether or not previously em-
ployed in the public service, and in what capacity.
In answer to a question from Mr. MILES,
Mr. LABOUCHERE said that Belgian vessels, which
were the only vessels which paid a surcharge of 20 per
cent. on cargoes of sugar on coming into the port of
London. He was also able to inform the House that a
reduction of 3s. 6d. per ewe of the duties on sugar had
lately taken place in that country.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT—INCOME-TAX.
In reply to a question from Mr. CARDWELL,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
it was his intuition to make his financial statement on
Monday night, and in Committee of Ways and Means
to propose the re-imposition of the income-tax, and
the Irish stamp dates. He should also then
take a vote if the House would allow him.
Mr. DISRAELI Does the Right Hon. Gentleman
propose in Committee of Ways and Means on Monday
next to t ko a vote respecting the Income Tax.—(Hear.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said—
What I intend to do is to propose a vote, and if the House
is prepared to give it meon Monday, why ot courselshall
take it—(Laughter)—but if an adjournment of the de-
bate is proposed, and the adjournment is desired, why
then I must take the vote the first day I can get it.—
(Renewed laughter.) It is, however, very desirable,
after the Budget bas been disclt a d to the House, that
the measures consequent upon the Budget should be
followed up, and a, decision come to as speedily as pos-
sible.—(Hear, hear.) It is obvious that when it is pro-
posed to change the whole financial arrangements of the
country, the sooner the change is made, so as to bbecomelaw, the better, and therefore it is of the utmost impor-
tance that the decisions ou the measures arising out of
the Budget should be come to at the earliest possible pc-
riod.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. IiUME—Is it the intention of Government, '
before they ask the House to agree to a vote on the
income-tax, to submit any plan to the con-
sideration of the House for a general system of
taxivion.—(Hear, hear.) A promise sas made by the
Government last session that this year they would be
tlepared to submit to the consideration of
an alteration in the arrangement of the taxation c,f the
country, and I wish to know whether the Right Hon.
Gentleman is prepared to carry cut, that promise.
The CHANCELLOtt of the EXCHEQUER—I am
nut aware of having made st-1:y such proini: e.—(Hear.)
Mr. HUME—Why, you did, when I made a motion
on the subject.—(Hoer and laughter.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—I do
not know
what motion the Hon. Gentleman may have
made, but certainly I never made ally such promise.—
(Hear, hear.) However, I propose to make the financial
11 statement Monday,o and to any observations my Hon.
Friend may feel disposed to make upon that statement
I shall be prepared to give my best attention.—(Hear.)