§ MR. GODDARDasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, in the event of his having a surplus at his disposal, he will be willing to make some provision in his financial arrangements which will afford some relief to the owners and occupiers of land from the very heavy additional burdens thrown upon the local rates in consequence of the rapid abolition of the turnpike system?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIt is one of the melancholy duties of the Chancellor of the Exche- 330 quer to be sometimes obliged to keep secrets, and whether he will have a surplus at his disposal or not is one of those secrets which he is particularly anxious to keep. I may say, however, that if I have a surplus at my disposal I shall be ready to take into consideration all claims. How far I shall be able to relieve them will depend upon the amount of the surplus.