HC Deb 22 February 1859 vol 152 cc734-5

MR. ALCOCK moved— That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that She will be graciously pleased to direct that further Instructions be given to the Royal Commissioners appointed to consider the best means of abolishing Turnpike Tolls within six miles of Charing Cross, to the effect that they will also take into consideration the best means of abolishing the Tolls on the Bridges within the same area. The hon. Member took occasion to state that the present moment, when the above-mentioned Commissioners were sitting, was the most favourable time for dealing with the subject of Tolls levied on Bridges in London, and dwelt upon the expediency, for the convenience of the inhabitants of the metropolis, of having Waterloo, Southwark, and Battersea Bridges thrown open free of charge to the public.

MR. INGRAM

seconded the Motion.

Motion made, and Question proposed.

MR. WALPOLE

said, that the Commissioners on Turnpike Tolls were pursuing their investigation on the subject up to the present time; that there remained much matter in connection with it through which they had still to wade, and that if any additional labour were thrown upon them they would not be in a position to issue their Report for a considerably longer period than would otherwise be the case. He might add that there would be great difficulty in procuring the funds which would be required to be raised in order that the abolition of turnpike tolls should be effected, and he should, under those circumstances, suggest to his hon. Friend whether it would not be desirable to allow the Commissioners to proceed with the inquiry which they were now engaged in pro- secuting, and to wait until he had seen their Report to ascertain whether the investigation which he proposed in reference to bridges would or would not be likely to be attended with advantage. For his own part, he was perfectly alive to the inconvenience which, in more than one instance, resulted to the inhabitants of the metropolis from the maintenance of the tolls to which the hon. Gentleman's Motion related, and should be very glad to find that some reasonable remedy for that inconvenience could be provided. At the same time, he could not help thinking that his hon. Friend would act wisely in withdrawing his Motion for the present.

MR. ALCOCK

said, he would act upon the suggestion.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.