§ 27. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the Government contemplate incurring expenditure upon bridges in London which will be used by the public free of all tolls, he will now consider the desirability of abolishing all existing tolls for the use of bridges throughout the country?
§ Colonel ASHLEYWhile unable to promote general legislation for the freeing of all toll bridges, I am always prepared to consider any application which may be formulated by the responsible local authorities for assistance from the Road Fund towards the elimination of tolls, and I may add that in several cases consultation is taking place upon the subject between my Department and the local authorities concerned.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the benefit of abolishing the tolls on these bridges goes straight into the pockets of the landlords?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am not aware of that. I think the benefit goes to the users of the bridges.
§ Mr. TAYLORHas the right hon. Gentleman any power to limit the charges made by the private owners of these toll bridges to the public?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo, I think that in almost every case they are regulated by private Acts.
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a request was made to him recently in regard to a particular bridge in my part of the country, when he agreed to reduce a toll of 1s. 9d. by one penny, and does he not consider that that is playing with the question, if he has in fact got money in the Road Fund to pay for the freeing of these tolls?
§ Colonel ASHLEYMy hon. Friend has not stated the case quite accurately. A small reduction only was possible as we are building up a fund in order to have money with which to rebuild this bridge.
§ Sir R. THOMASWas not the Road Fund reserve, which has now been commandeered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for purposes of that kind?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo; it was not for the purpose of rebuilding that bridge.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIs there any guarantee that the fund which is now being built up for this purpose will not be raided by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?