House of Commons
Saturday, July 7 1804
Minutes
Mr. Foster gave notice, that he should move a vote of credit for Ireland, and also the ways and means, on Monday next.—Mr. Swinburne presented at the bar the annual accounts of the commissioners of Westminster-bridge, which were laid on the table.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered the following message, at the bar of the house, from his Majesty: "G. R.—His Majesty, relying on the experienced zeal and affection of his faithful Commons, and considering that it may be of the utmost importance to provide for such emergencies as may arise, is desirous that this house will enable him to take all such measures as may be necessary to disappoint or defeat any enterprise or design of his enemies, and as the exigencies of affairs may require." On the motion of Mr. Pitt, it, was ordered to be referred to a committee of supply.—Mr. Pitt presented an estimate of the annual charge on the civil list, which was laid on the tables.—The Irish Commissioners' bill, and the London Dock Warehousing bill, were read a first time.—Mr. Alexander brought up the report of the Irish Additional Force bill, which was agreed to, and the bill was ordered to be read a 3d time on Monday, as was also the Irish Malt bill.—The Chatham Land bill was passed.—Mr. Alexander, brought up the report of the committee of Ways and Means for granting a sum to his Majesty by way of Lottery, which was agreed to, and a bill ordered thereon.—The Tobago Free Port bill was ordered to be reported on Monday next.—The house in a committee, went though the bill for the better execution of the laws in the counties at large in Ireland, and ordered the report to be received on Monday.
Corn Trade Bill
The Corn Trade bill was read a 3d time, and several amendments brought up and agreed to. On the question that the bill do pass,
said, he wished that the general average had been taken by the districts of the whole country, and not by the maritime districts only. He wished also that the price had been lower, as it would particularly affect the interests of the people in Lancashire, who do not grow so much corn in some years as amounts to the demand of the people residing in the county.
was certain the hon. gent. had no occasion to be alarmed in the manner which he seemed to be. He had made a most accurate observation respecting the average prices in the county of Lancaster, and those of the maritime counties, and he had found the difference so small, that he thought it could hardly be felt. He mentioned the average prices at several different periods, in order to shew that Lancashire was no more likely to suffer from the present average prices than any other county.
thought that the landed interest had in this bill fixed the prices so high, that the parliament would be obliged to lower them in the next session.
said, the object of the bill was to keep the prices as equal as possible; and, at the same time, to give a due encouragement to agriculture. This was what the landed interest were particularly interested in, and which he thought it their peculiar duty to attend to.
said, he should be sorry the house should part with any idea that Lancashire was likely to be injured by the operation of this bill. He was certain that could never be the case, as that county had Ireland and Quebec open to it when corn came to a certain price; and the Baltic was also open to it after a fixed price, which, though not so immediate, was such as to take away that degree of alarm which the hon. member had mentioned.
opposed the measure, on the ground that it would tend to raise the price of corn precisely at those times in which many of the commercial parts of the country would, from stagnation of trade, be least able to bear such an augmentation. He had particularly in his contemplation that part of the kingdom with which he was himself connected, the commercial county of Lancaster, and, he contended, that it was unjust and oppressive to subject that part of the country to the same general and unyielding regulations, which, in other districts, might be very proper; but which, in Lancashire, from the insufficient quantity of grain grown there, the uncertainty and expense of importation from abroad, and the want of easy water communication with corn counties, must operate as a most grievous hardship.—The bill was then read a 3d time and passed.—Adjourned.