HC Deb 16 February 1955 vol 537 cc373-5
29. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will give an assurance that the toll schemes which he is considering will be limited to certain costly bridges and tunnels, and will not be applied to stretches of highways or to motorways.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

No, Sir. I have nothing to add on this subject to what I said in the course of my statement on 2nd February.

Mr. Janner

Is not the Minister aware that in any case there is a considerable amount of feeling against the introduction of tolls, but, if he does introduce them, will he keep them within very small limits?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I do not think that there is any need to add to what I said. The hon. Member will recall that I related tolls specifically to certain very large and costly schemes of national importance.

Captain Pilkington

Since more roads and bridges will benefit the whole of the community, would it not be a mistake to make motorists, by means of these tolls, pay more than their fair share?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That is a debatable question, but I do not think that it arises on this one.

Mr. Woodburn

May I ask the Minister not to hold up any of these projects because of the argument about tolls? Once the bridges are there we can deal with the question of tolls at any time.

Mr. K. Thompson

Is my right hon. Friend not aware of the great strength of feeling there is in the country against the whole idea of going back to tolls—[HON. MEMBERS: "No tolls."]—and that our hope is that we shall get rid of some of the existing tolls as soon as possible?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Of course my hon. Friend recognises that this is not an innovation. Tolls have operated in the Mersey Tunnel for a good many years.

Mr. Ernest Davies

From the questions that have been asked, does the Minister realise there is a considerable difference of opinion in this House as to the advisability of introducing tolls? Will it be necessary to introduce legislation in regard to them? If not, will he at least give an assurance that before any tolls are introduced the House will have an opportunity to express its views?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In this respect I think the House reflects opinion outside. There is a good deal of difference of view. So far as particular schemes are concerned, legislation has previously been required to enable tolls to be levied in respect of them, but I would rather not answer a general question on legislation without notice.

39. Captain Pilkington

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many tolls there are on British roads at the present time.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

There are 103.

Captain Pilkington

Since the aim of the new road programme is to speed up traffic, would it not be a retrograde step to have any more tolls on these new roads?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That raises the rather wider question whether it is wiser to concentrate all our money on road construction rather than for the time being on dealing with tolls.

Mr. Ernest Davies

How many of the 103 tolls are owned by private enterprise, and how many of them have more than repaid the cost of the original construction time and time again?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I have no details of those figures. One or two are owned by the British Transport Commission and one or two by local authorities, but if the hon. Gentleman likes to put down a Question, and give me time for necessary research, I will endeavour to give him an answer.

Mr. Renton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are many people who would prefer a toll road to no road at all?