§ MR. SCULLYasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Is it intended, on the part of the Government, to give any notice, or to introduce any Bill during the present Session, with a view to the revision of the tolls, fares, and charges, or to the purchase of any Railways in the United Kingdom; or is it intended to institute any Parliamentary inquiry into the policy of revision and purchase, upon general and national grounds, as contemplated by the Act 7 amp; 8 Vict. c. 85; and has his attention been directed to the expediency of purchasing the Railways in Ireland, 236 by way of experiment, or for any reason specially applicable to that country?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, it was not the intention of the Government, under the circumstances to which he had already alluded, to introduce a Bill during the present Session with the view of acting on the Act of 1844; nor did the Government think it would be right to institute any inquiry with regard to the large question of policy in respect to railways at a time when they were about to take the measures necessary to ascertain their economical condition. As to the expediency of purchasing the railways in Ireland, he felt bound to say that his attention had been directed to the subject by his hon. Friend himself; but, at the same time, he did not deem himself authorized to enter upon the question, which was evidently a branch of a very large question. For the Government to entertain or enounce an opinion upon it would be quite premature. He, however, concurred with his hon. Friend in the opinion that the railways of Ireland, as was geographically clear, formed a case by themselves. They lay within a sphere comparatively limited, though still large, and were consequently more within reach than the general question of railway purchase. He might, perhaps, before resuming his seat, be allowed to answer one or two explanatory questions which had been put to him on a similar subject. He did not think the proper object of the Commission would be of an historical character, further than that historical details might grow out of its main purpose, which was to ascertain the economical facts of the case. He hoped, however, it would be found quite practicable to bring to bear upon those facts, either in connection with the statement of any existing difficulties or remedies, any matter in that point of view that might seem desirable. In answer to the Question put to him by his right hon. Friend the Member for the University of Cambridge (Mr. Walpole), as to whether the Government would propose in that House an Address for the appointment of a Commission, he could only say that they had been ready and desirous to make hon. Members cognizant at the earliest moment of their intentions; but inasmuch as it was within the competency of the Crown to issue a Commission for the purpose, it appeared to the Government to belong to their position that they should take upon themselves the responsi- 237 bility of that first act, and he very much doubted whether an Address to the Crown, as suggested, would be in accordance with the ordinary usages of Parliament.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply to Mr. G. PACKE, said, that while the State possessed certain powers by law with regard to railways, their proprietary rights were, so far as he was informed, as free from the interference of the Executive as any other proprietary rights in the country, and ought to be dealt with on the same footing.