HC Deb 24 April 1863 vol 170 c674

In reply to a Question from Sir CHARLES DOUGLAS,

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, the question relating to Carriers had been considerably altered since he had first mentioned it to the House. His intention had simply been to remedy what, according to the statement of the proprietors of taxed carriages, appeared to be an injustice under which they laboured. That proposal, however, did not now seem to content them; for the hon. and learned Member for the Tower Hamlets (Mr. Ayrton) had given notice of his intention to make it the occasion of an assault upon the revenue. In the present state of affairs he felt that it would be his duty to uphold and defend the revenue against any such assault. It was not his intention to lay this tax on any person who did not now pay it. Consequently, he would not propose any preliminary Resolution; but in Committee on his Bill he would seek to introduce some provisions which he trusted would tend to increase the facilities for locomotion, especially in rural districts, where they now were most defective. The Resolution which now stood on the Votes as to Carriers would not therefore be proceeded with.