Star.
London, England, 1815-03-22 00:00:00

BANK RESTRICTION BILL.

The Earl of LIVERPOOL, in moving for the
third reading of the Bank Restriction Bill, observed,
that he believeitthere could be little difference of opi-
nion among their Lordships, as to the propriety or
expediency. of that Bill, at the present moment. The
necessity which at fint imposed the restriction was
dee* to be deplored; but under the circumstances
of the times it could not be alsoided. It was, how-
ever, a temporary expedient, and every consideration
:Aggested the propriety and the necessity of taking
off the restriction as soon as possible. Ttie proceed-
ings of Parliament in the last Session were in their
Lurdships' recollection, and no difference with respect
to the policy of the measure could since have occurred.
The public credit was deeply and of unavoidable 'ne-
cessity engaged to a vast amount in 1814, to no less
a sum than thirteen millions. Yet, even under those
circumstances, such was the credit at which the coun-
try stool, 'that the general balance of Exchange,
particularly at Hamburgh, was in our favour, and
the value of bullion had materially fallen at home.—
He did not feel himself warranted to give a specific
pledge, that the payments in cash would commence
at the period suggested, yet, upon the most deliberate
refLction, he saw no reason for postponing the period
of such anticipated payment.
Lord GRENVILLE had not, indeed, entertained
a hope that the payments in cash at the Bank would
be speedily renewed. The extraordinary occurtences
which had taken place, and were still taking place,
unhappily prevented him from indulging in any such
pleasing speculation. nut he was anxious then, as
he had always been, even from the first, that some
regular Parliamentary enquiry should be instituted
to ascertain the propriety, or jiistny the expediency
of the measure which had been adopted. As he had
ardently wished, so he had confidently expected, that
the period for that enquiry had arrived. Circum-
stances, however, which lie deeply deplored, had oc-
curred, which abated the confidence which he had
entertained of the durati, aof peace. He should not,
however, oppose the motion for the third reading.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE spoke on the same
side, strenuously insisting on the necessity of a solemn
and strict Parliamentary inquiry, which should either
prove to the public, by its result, that cash payments
ought directly to be made, or shewiog satisfactory
reasons why they were not made.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had no desire
to enter into any minute enquiry on the subject, or to
distinguish accurately between the separate interests
of the Government and the Bank ; but tie held it as
his incumbent duty to protest against the measure in
tato, unless it was understood that the Bank shc.uld
take steps to secure, in proper and prescribed time,
the fulfilment of their duty in paying their bills in
money. He was particularly anxious that effectual
measures should be taken by the Legislature to re-
move from the Bank Directors the danger of tempta-
tion, by which they were supposed to have it in their
poser, at once to enrich themselves, and and
im-
-is!, the people-

poveriL
The Dill was then read the third time and passed.
NEWTONS ELECTION.
Lori GRENVILLE presented it 'Peiition from