§ 44 and 61. Mr. W. BAKERasked (1) the Minister of Transport whether, having regard to the high cost of road maintenance and to the destruction caused by vehicles shod with steel and with other forms of solid tyres, and by obsolete and badly-sprung vehicles, he will state what steps he is taking to save the money which is being wasted by the disintegration of our roads;
(2) the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the destruction to roads which is caused by trains of caravans drawn by traction engines, and by other vehicles shod with solid tyres, he will consider the desirability of imposing increased taxation on all such vehicles?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI will, with the hon. Member's permission, reply to these questions together. A revision of the rates of licence duties payable for mechanically propelled vehicles is now under consideration, and I cannot anticipate any decision that may be arrived at with regard to the particular types of vehicles referred to by the hon. Member. Additional powers for regulating the construction and use of vehicles will be sought in the Bill, which I hope to present to the House during the course of the Session. As regards the steel-tyred vehicles to which the questions refers, I have made representations, pending legislation on the subject, to the Showmen's Guild, and to the National Traction Engine Owners' and Users' Association, with a view to ensuring the substitution, wherever practicable, of rubber-tyred wheels for steel tyres.
§ Mr. BUCHANANSeeing that the second question applies to caravans, which are the property in most cases of comparatively poor people, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the matter before taking any steps that will throw extra burdens on these people?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI do not think that I can discriminate in that sense. The first thing I have to consider is the damage done to the roads.