[BILL 232.] SECOND READING. (Hansard, 22 July 1867)

§ MR. GOLDNEY
wished that some definite statement were made on the part of the Government on this subject, and that Continuance Acts should be founded on some principle. At present they were wholly arbitrary.

§ MR. KNATCHBULL - HUGESSEN
felt that this subject was one which could only be satisfactorily dealt with by the Government, and in a large and comprehensive 1910 spirit. He objected to Continuance Bills as a principle. It would be best to read the Bill a second time, reserving to the House power to alter its details at a future stage. He should allow his own Bill on the same subject to be withdrawn.

§ MR. LOCKE
said, he would gladly have supported a Motion that this Bill be read a second time that day three months. Turnpike trusts appeared to be the most sacred institutions of the country, because there was the greatest difficulty in getting rid of any turnpike. He objected to these Continuance Bills.

§ MR. DODSON
hoped that the time would arrive when all turnpikes would be swept away, but until that time arrived Turnpike Acts must remain in force, otherwise, the roads could not be kept in repair. The question was one for the Government to deal with, and he hoped that the right hon. Gentleman opposite would give his serious consideration to the subject, and would be prepared next Session to bring in a Bill dealing with the question as a whole.

§ MR. GATHORNE HARDY
said, it might be desirable to abolish turnpikes at some future date; but the hon. and learned Member for Southwark should recollect in what condition most of the country roads were before the institution of turnpikes. None of the parishes would have been able to afford the expense of changing the roads from "soft roads" into the excellent highways they now were. In drawing up a scheme for the abolition of turnpikes, it was necessary to recollect that parishes had frequently no interest whatever in a road which passed through them for the accommodation of heavy traffic, passing perhaps between a coal-pit and wharf, and it would be hard upon parishes to compel them to repair such roads, from which they might not derive any benefit whatever. With regard to the loans upon turnpike trusts, Parliament had dealt with them as something more than mere temporary arrangements by providing for the future management of the interest upon them. To throw the expense of repairing the roads upon the parishes would in some cases more than quadruple the rates at one stroke. He agreed with the statement that if the subject were to be dealt with in a comprehensive manner the area of rating should be enlarged; but he hoped those who objected to the trust would put their objections on the Paper, so that he 1911 could look up the Papers in the cases raised and argue the matter fully. He promised to give the subject his serious attention during the Recess.