§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, during the recess, there has been issued from the Home Office any Circular addressed to the Trustees of those Turnpike Trusts which were scheduled for discontinuance in the Continuance Act of last Session; if so, what is the nature of that Circular, and do the Government contemplate legislation upon the subject of the turnpike system during the present Session? There was also a supplementary Question which he wished to ask—namely, Whether the right hon. Gentleman intended to re-introduce that compensation clause on the same subject which he had had the honour of inserting in the Continuance Bill of last Session, 211 which the right hon. Gentleman omitted, but which being afterwards moved by the hon. Member for North Warwickshire was unanimously adopted in that House, though it was rejected in another place? As he had not given notice of his intention to ask this Question, he would, of course, postpone it if necessary.
§ MR. WALPOLEIt will be in the recollection of the House that a vast number of turnpike trusts—many more than usual—were included in the Bill of last Session; and inasmuch as several persons were affected by that Act, they were promised at the time of the discussion that they should have an opportunity of stating their case before the Home Secretary. Accordingly, in the course of the autumn a circular was issued, inviting, in fact, any observations which they might have to make upon it. That is the answer which I have to make to the first part of the Question of my hon. Friend. With regard to the nature of the circular, I think I have explained that. As for the second part of his Question, as to intended legislation on the subject, I must frankly own that so great are the difficulties that I cannot at present promise legislation on the subject. As to the other Question of which my hon. Friend has not given notice, I would rather postpone my reply to it.