SIR JAMES HOGGasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, in view of the fact that Committees of this House have reported that tolls on Metropolitan Bridges seriously impede traffic, and weigh with excessive severity on the poorest classes, and also in view of the fact that the present and late Governments have refused to sanction the plans of the Metropolitan Board of Works (brought forward in the Sessions of 1873 and 1875) for raising the necessary funds by means of the coal tax, which was the plan adopted by Parliament in the case of the Kew and other Thames bridges, the Government is prepared to give their approval to the enfranchisement of the bridges by borrowing on security of a county rate on the counties of Surrey and Middlesex, or to suggest any other course for attaining the object in view?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply, said, he had fully considered the matter to which the Question of the hon. Member referred, and to the proposal that was made for raising a sum of money on the security of the coal and wine dues; and they had seen several deputations on the subject, all entertaining very different views respecting it. He had brought the matter before his Colleagues, and they felt that it was a course which they could not sanction. He was now asked whether he could say, on the part of the Government, that they would be prepared to give their approval to another course, or whether they could not themselves suggest some other. He did not see, however, that the difficulties they might meet with in considering another plan might be as great, and he therefore could not commit himself or the Government to any plan whatever; but any proposal brought before them should receive careful consideration.