HC Deb 23 July 1868 vol 193 cc1672-3
MR. MILNER GIBSON

said, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer a Question of which he had given him private Notice—namely, Whether the Government has entered into any further negotiations with the Corporation of the City of London with the view of inducing that body to agree to become the market authority under the Metropolitan Foreign Cattle Market Bill? He wished to know also, Whether any offer has been made to the Corporation by which they are to have power, in the event of their accepting that responsibility, of raising the tolls in the Islington Market beyond the rate which has been fixed by Parliament; and, whether the right hon. Gentleman will put the House in possession of any inducements which may have been held out, or any terms offered to the Corporation of London to induce them to become the market authorities under the Bill previously to the Bill coming on again for discussion?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Sir, I am unable to put the House in possession of any further information than they are already possessed of, because if hon. Members will refer to the Notice Paper they will find that my noble Friend (Lord Robert Montagu) has put upon it an Amendment upon the Metropolitan Foreign Cattle Market Bill, to the effect that if the Corporation of London shall become the market authorities under that Bill, and should suffer any loss arising from the construction of the proposed new market, they shall have power, with the consent of the Board of Trade, to raise the tolls of the Islington Market within certain limits to be prescribed. The only objection that the Corporation had to becoming the market authorities under the Bill was the fear that they might suffer loss. Under the circumstances, it is not unreasonable that those who are anxious for the construction of the new market, for the better protection of their flocks and herds, should consent to the raising of the tolls of their own market in the event of loss being occasioned by the construction of the new one. I believe that a Court of the Common Council of the City of London has been held this morning to take the subject into consideration, and should they agree to the terms all difficulties in the matter will be removed.

MR. MILNER GIBSON

Then, at present, the right hon. Gentleman does not know whether the Corporation has accepted those terms or not?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I am unable at the present moment to say whether those terms have or have not been accepted by the Corporation.