The Statesman.
London, England, 1822-07-30 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

11111CILLANCOVS.
The House were sommoned to the Lords to bear the
Royal Asseat given by Commission to several Bills (for
which see Lords' Report.)
The Brimstone Drawback Bill, the Exportation of
Spirits (Scotland) Bill, and the East India Sugar Bill,
were severally read a third time and passed.
The Irish Stamp Duties' Reduction Bill went through
a Committee. Report to-morrow.

SCPERANNUATION DILL.
Upon the Order of the Day for the third reading of
the Superannuation Bill,
Mr. CALCRAFT said, that many of his objections
bad been removed by the amendment made to this Bill,
bet be still held that the retrospective operation of the
measure ought to be taken away. If the word "op-
tional," were not introduced as he bad propoled, be
should not take advantage of the present state of the
House, to obstruct the public business, but prefer re-
lying on the wisdom and justice of another tribunal be
whom it would go, for the insertion of that pro-
visiou.
The clause for refunding advances made by persons
retiring from office, which was agreed to upon the re-
ceiving of the Report, was brought up by the CaeisciL•
LOll of the EXCULQUCII, and agreed to.
Also a clause prohibiting, that after the sth of July,
any person should be entitled to allowances from the
Fund, for time daring which they shall not have sub-
scribed to it, unless their salary shall have been below
the amount contemplated by the Bill.
Also a clause providing that accounts of the receipts
and application of the Fund should be made up at the
end of every year, ending the sth of J y, together
with the names of shoes who bad died, having claims
ups it.
Also a dame providing that persons holding two
offices, should contribute and receive according to the
value of both.
The clauses were severally agreed to.
Upon the question that the Bill do pass,
Mr. CANNING laid that the amendments had cured
many of the evils of the Bills, but he still wished that
compliance with its provisions shall be optional. lie
trusted that an amendment to that effect would be carried
in another place.
The Bill was then passed.

- CLAIM Of TIC CALCUTTA 'ANIMA.
Mr. BATHURST brought up the Report of the
Committee to whom the above claim bad been referred.
Mr. CANNING wished to take this opportunity of
addressing a few observations to the House upon this
question. When it was before agitated be abstalaed
from taking any peg in, or being present at the debate,
fur two reasons ; one was that a ease of a similar cha-
racter had come under his attention officially some time
ago, and the other, that if the House came to a park-
cola, decision upon it, he should probably hereafter
have to carry its provisions into effect ministerially.—
For the same reason be should now refrain from ex-
pressing any opinion upon the justice of this particular
claim. With the Report which was now presented to
them he was sufficiently acquainted to know that it was
not final. It would therefore occupy another Session,
and perhaps two before the question was disposed of.—
The Right Hon. Gentleman made some remarks upon
the jealousy with which Parliament had usually looked
to claims set up upon loan transactions of this nature
against the Government of India. He intreated the
House to look at the effect to be expected from the en-
tertainment of this claim upon the local Government,
for the two years, daring which it might now be pend-
ing, in consequence of having been referred to the
consideration of a Committee. There were a boat of
claimants who would think their claims as jnat as the
=one, starting up before the expiration of that
excited by the hopes which bad thus been
awakened. For this reason it was that be took an op-
portunity of publicly stating Lis opinions, as being
in conformity with the old practice, that of discouraging
such claims upon the Government io the mass, without
of caws. rejecting any particular excepting circum-
stances, which might render a owes peculiar. If the
usual, and in his *pinion just method of treating such
claims were departed from, he should perhaps have
I hereafter to meet the very eases which be had been in•
copied in discountenancing. While upon the subject,
be begged thus publicly to call the attention of his
Right Ilan. Friend the President of the Board of Con-1
troul to the state of the laws for restraining the rate of
interest in India. He enumerated the passing of the
different Acts upon that subject, and stated that some
contradictions which existed among them require.! a de-
claratory Art, which his Right Hon. Friend would do
well to Iwo e Nee.

Mr. WYNN concurred with his Right Hee. Friend,
tbat if any doubt existed upon the construction of the
laws relating to these important matters, it was most
desirable that a declaratory act should be obtained. But
as it was mot certain Chat any contradiction existed in
the acts, it Would be as well to submit them for the °pl-
aint of the Law Officers before any other proceedings
were taken.
After a few fulber observations from Mr. Amite and
Mr. Poises. which were inaudible in the gallery.
Mr. FORBF:1 spoke is faunr of the right of the pe
dilemma to appeal to the British Parliament.
Mr. HIIMP. denied the justice of the claim upon Hie
Government of India.
Mr. CANNING explained.