§ SIR EDWARD BIRKBECK (Norfolk, E.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what number of memorials he has received from County Councils and other Local Authorities, asking him to supply the deficiency in the contribution promised in aid of rates, caused by the abandonment of the Van and Wheel Tax?
§ MR.GOSCHENIn answer to the hon. Member I have to state that I have received memorials from 15 County Councils, 50 Highway Boards, and six Unions in favour of the re-introduction of a Van and Wheel Tax; I have received memorials from three County Councils in favour of a Horse, Van and Wheel Tax, and from 23 County Councils for aid to supply the deficiency arising from the withdrawal of the Bill, while five County Councils send suggestions by which, in their opinion, the amount required might be raised. I wish to draw the especial attention of the House to the fact that only three County Councils definitely state they are in favour of the Horse Tax, although the House will remember that of the £800,000 which the County Councils wish to obtain, over £500,000 would, according to my original proposal, have been drawn from that tax, and there appeared to be much less objection to its imposition than to that of the Wheel Tax. The enactment of the Horse Tax would replace £500,000 or more of the amount involved in the Excise Duties (Local Purposes) Bill of 1888.