§ 30. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, under Acts of Parliament of 1834 and 1841, farmers delivering goods at shops in Exeter have to pay tolls whereas goods arriving by train escape 1062 these tolls; and whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to repeal these Acts?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI presume that the provisions which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind are those under which persons selling from door to door certain articles of agricultural produce, etc., are liable to pay the same toll as if the goods had been taken into the market. The Acts in question are private Acts relating to Exeter, and any proposal for the alteration of these particular Acts would have to be by Private Bill, or by Provisional Order.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that these tolls act as a. direct tax upon home grown produce and that they are escaped by foreign produce? Cannot the Government take any action to do away with this injustice?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think this is rather an ancient survival from other times. I suppose the toll in question was intended to protect local markets. As I have pointed out, the remedy is in the hands of the local authority.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the Minister be good enough to make representations to the Minister of Transport advising him to get rid of these tolls?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these Acts were passed at a time when there was no foreign competition and when the produce was sold in the streets?