§ 80. Brig.-General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Minister of Transport what is the number of tolls which contribute to road maintenance in England, Wales, and Scotland; how much do they contribute annually; and what would be the total cost of freeing roads from tolls as contemplated in Section 2 of the Roads Improvement Bill?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)In England and Wales there are 64 toll roads and 127 toll bridges. Tolls on roads and bridges in Scotland were abolished by the Roads and Bridges (Scotland) Act of 1878. No information is available as to the yield of tolls in England and Wales, or of the probable cost of extinguishing them. I may add that the extinction of all tolls is not necessarily contemplated in Clause 2 of the Roads Improvement Bill.
§ Mr. HURDAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is taking power to free these tolls without knowing the amount involved, and without making any limitation whatever as to the amount spent?
§ Colonel ASHLEYCertainly, we take account of the amount of money involved, but I cannot possibly say what proposal is put forward by the local authority.
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo, Sir.