§ MR. RYLANDSasked the President of the Local Government Board, If he can state to the House the total cost of Turnpike Roads which have been disturnpiked since December 31st, 1870, and, which under the provisions of the Highways Bill, would become chargeable to the county rate; also the total cost of existing Turnpike Roads which, on ceasing to be such, might hereafter become chargeable under the provisions of the same Bill to the county rate?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTH, in reply, said, that the Returns of the annual cost of turnpike roads were given in the Appendices to the Local Government Reports. The cost in 1870 was £509,546; and, according to the latest Returns, the cost was £282,273, and half of the difference would primâ facie be the amount that would fall upon the county rate. The latest Returns were, however, 18 months in arrear, and it was estimated that the probable charge would now amount to about £150,000 a-year.