COMMISSION MOVED FOR. (Hansard, 15 February 1859)

§ MR. ALCOCK

said, he had thought it probable that the Government would have been willing to agree to his Motion, which was— That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that She would be graciously pleased to issue a Royal Commission to inquire into and report as to the best means of abolishing the tolls on the Turnpike Roads and Bridges in England and Wales. As, however, he understood that the Government would not accede to his proposition, it became necessary for him to ask the favour of the House for a few minutes while he stated shortly his reasons for moving for this Address. Certainly no one could be surprised at his making so reasonable a request as this after what had been done in the cases of Ireland and Scotland. Did they not all know that since last April, Ireland had been free from tolls—there was not a turnpike there. Scotland had also claimed exemption, and a Commission had been granted to inquire into the subject as it related to that country. As to Ireland, he might state that in 1855 a Commission was granted to inquire into the tolls around Dublin. The Commission reported against their continuance, and their recommendation was carried into effect in the following year. That proceeding was so satisfactory to all parties, that subsequently the same law was applied to the rest of Ireland. As regarded Scotland the Commission was now sitting, and there was also a Commission sitting to consider the state of the tolls 432 within six miles of the Metropolis. Now, why should not that Commission extend their labour and take into consideration the whole question of tolls in England and Wales? The Commission consisted of four men of well known ability, and possessed of great knowledge in these matters, and it would be a source of much satisfaction to them to have the opportunity of performing so great a work as that now proposed. What difficulty would there be to lay down a principle which would get rid of all the tolls, not only around London, but throughout England? None whatever. The mortgage debt on turnpike tolls in England amounted to about £5,586,000, and the interest on that debt was about £209,000 annually. Now, the real property in Schedule A. of the Income Tax Act in England and Wales was no less than £103,500,000, and a rate of 2d. in the pound on that amount produced the sum of £862,000, more than sufficient to pay for all repairs and keep turnpike roads in good order, and also to pay all the interest upon the whole amount of the debt. At the same time it would provide for the tolls levied on the bridges. He believed that if the same course were to be taken in England as in Ireland, the creditors would be willing to make a considerable reduction in their demands, and thus in a short time the debt would be much decreased. The Commissioners might easily reduce the debt of £5,500,000 to £4,000,000, especially if they were to take into account the turnpike buildings, which, if sold, would realize something like £400,000 or £500,000. In Ireland the baronies were bound by common law to maintain the roads; and he would suggest that the maintenance of the roads in this country should be made a rate on all assessed property of each Parish as provided by the common law. He did not agree with those who thought that a Committee would be better than a Commission for the object which he proposed. There had been Commissions on the subject for Scotland as well its for Ireland; and he could not suppose that a Government who were generally supposed to be anxious for popularity, which in some cases they had very deservedly gained, would persist in opposing his proposal.