§ MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will endeavour to obtain an approximately accurate estimate of the increased charges on local rates for the maintenance of roads arising from the greatly increased wear and tear of the roads, due to their use by motor vehicles of great weight and high power and speed, and from the cost of additional police services to check infractions of the law by motor vehicles, respectively; and whether, in preparing fresh financial proposals for next year, he will place such increased duties on motor vehicles, and so graduate the increased duties in proportion to the weight, power, and speed of such vehicles, as will probably meet the estimate of the increase caused to the rates by their use of the roads, and make to the several local authorities such grants towards the cost of road maintenance as will approximately meet the increased charges on the rates estimated to arise from motor traffic.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.I cannot in any way anticipate the Budget proposals of next year. The hon. Member is aware that a Royal Commission is now being appointed to consider the whole question of the regulation of motor traffic.
§ MR. CHANNINGWill it be the duty of the Royal Commission to consider the cost imposed on the ratepayers by motor traffic?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThat is a Question as to the terms of the reference to the Commission, and it had better be addressed to the President of the Local Government Board, who is necessarily more familiar with the subject.