§ SIR JOSEPH M'KENNAasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he has any objection to say if there be any, and, if any, what negotiations on foot or in the contemplation of Her Majesty's Government for the commutation of the Railway Passenger Duty?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERMr. Speaker, some little time ago I received a communication from a gentleman who takes an interest in this question. In that communication he stated that it might be a convenient way of meeting some of the difficulties connected with the Railway Passenger Duty if a scheme of commutation were adopted, and the tax were purchased by the Government at a certain number of years' purchase. After giving some consideration to the subject, I informed the gentleman who made the communication to me that in the event of my receiving any communication from the Railway Directors, or from persons authorized to speak on behalf of the Companies, I should be ready to take any such proposal into consideration. I have not yet received any such proposal; but from what I have hoard I think it not improbable some such proposal may be submitted to me.
§ SIR JOSEPH M'KENNAI beg to give Notice that on Monday I will ask the right hon. Gentleman, Whether he will give the House any opportunity of expressing its opinion upon the subject before he concludes any arrangement with the Railway Companies?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIt would be absolutely impossible for me to make any arrangement without bringing the matter before the House and obtaining the sanction of the House to anything that might be proposed to be done.