3. c. 71) was passed, which repealed several statutes included, related to corn, meal, flour, cattle and sundry and others, had been found to have prevented free trade of those commodities, causing the price to increase:[2]WHEREAS it hath been found by experience, that the restraints laid by several statutes upon the dealing in corn, meal, flour, cattle, and sundry other sorts of victuals, by preventing a free trade in the said commodities, have a tendency to discourage the growth and to enhance the price of the same; which statutes, if put in execution, would bring great distress upon the inhabitants of many parts of this kingdom, and in particular upon those of the cities of London and Westminster.The repeals in that act were found not to have been effectual, because of repeated prohibitions in previous acts.

[3] In 1800, John Rusby was indicted for having bought ninety quarters of oats at 41 shillings per quarter and selling thirty of them at 43 shillings the same day.

Rusby was heavily fined, but, on appeal, the court was equally divided as to whether engrossing, forestalling and regrating were still offences at common law.

The Forestalling, &c. Offences Bill had its first reading in the House of Lords on 2 April 1844, presented by the chancellor of the exchequer, Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon.

[5] The bill had its third reading in the House of Commons on 6 June 1844 and passed, without amendments.