§ MR. HOBHOUSE (Somerset, E.)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If, in view of the abandonment of the proposed taxes on horses and vehicles, and the loss thereby inflicted on the general ratepayer, and the strong feeling prevailing throughout the country districts in favour of such contributions towards the maintenance of the roads, the Government will consider the advisability of legislating next Session to empower any County Council to levy Licence Duties (within certain statutory limits) upon horses or vehicles using the roads maintained out of the county rates, after the analogy of the duties imposed by the County Authority on locomotives under the Highways Act of 1878?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave last night to the hon. Member for West Southwark (Mr. Causton), When the County Councils are in working order we shall be ready to take counsel with them as to the best means of reinforcing local revenues, and providing that relief to the rates which would have resulted from the measure, the progress of which, unfortunately, has been defeated by time.