HC Deb 28 April 1882 vol 268 cc1676-7
SIR BALDWYN LEIGHTON

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he can give some particulars as to Establishment Charges for Post Office Department stated in Budget speech at £200,000, and whether that is for new works and buildings, or for repairs and maintenance; if he can state generally in what form the relief for roads, estimated at £250,000, would be proposed to be paid; whether it would be collected and dispensed locally or generally; and, whether the new Tax would affect the carts and carriages of brewers, bakers, and builders beyond the six shillings increase on two-wheeled vehicles?

MR. SCHREIBER

asked, From what source the auxiliary letter carriers of the United Kingdom were to derive their long-expected increase of pay?

THE CHANOELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GLADSTONE)

The Question put by the hon. Gentleman who has just sat down (Mr. Schreiber) ought to be addressed to the Postmaster General. In answer to the first Question, I have to say that, in stating the increase in the Postal Service for the present year, I was comparing the Estimates for the present year with the Exchequer issues of last year; and that is, in point of fact, the only mode in which, at the time the Financial Statement is made, a comparison can be instituted. The Exchequer issues are not identical with the private accounts; but the comparison with the private account cannot be given for some little time to come. With regard to the other questions associated with this, I could not enter at present upon a discussion of the mode in which it is proposed to grant relief for high roads. Indeed, I am not yet in prospective possession of the funds absolutely necessary for the purpose; but that will be done on the present occasion by the President of the Local Government Board. With regard to the carts and carriages of brewers, bakers, and builders, there is to be no charge with respect to them. There is no change intended, I may say, in the law of exemption. We do not think that a measure of this kind, which is necessarily impartial, and in some respects judicial, affords an appropriate opportunity for raising the various and rather difficult questions that are connected with the exemption of particular vehicles from taxes.

SIR BALDWYN LEIGHTON

asked in what form it was proposed to levy the tax?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GLADSTONE)

said, that would connect itself with the Vote, which he could not possibly propose until he had Ways and Means in prospect by which the charge could be made.

MR. PENNINGTON

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, by the proposal to increase the Duties on private carriages, it is intended to include carriages let on hire to private persons for short times or special purposes, or at funerals or weddings?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GLADSTONE),

in reply, said, he thought he had already answered the Question. He did not propose, nor did he think it possible, to make a general law of exemption on this occasion.

MR. BIRKBECK

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, taking into consideration that tenant farmers are the largest contributors towards the cost of maintaining roads, he will exempt them, under his Budget proposals, from increased taxation for vehicles?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GLADSTONE),

in reply, said, he had no intention of proposing any new exemption on behalf of tenant farmers.