HC Deb 03 December 1963 vol 685 c966
25. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is yet in a position to make a statement concerning the continuing existence of toll bridges in private hands, the proceds from which have escaped taxation in some cases for hundreds of years; and in view of the declared intention of Her Majesty's Government to impose an incomes policy, whether he will now treat this question as a matter of urgency.

Mr. Green

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Hamilton

Does the hon. Gentleman recollect that this matter was first raised in the House in March, 1962, when examples were given from that side of the House of toll bridges, one bringing in an income of £6,000 a year tax-free and another, held by a functionary of the Tory Party, bringing in as much as £70,000 a year tax-free? Is he aware that the first example has continued since 1766, the Earls of Abingdon receiving this tax-free income for 200 years? Is the hon. Gentleman further aware that I asked a Question and inquired whether this would be looked into as long ago as May, 1962, and he then said that it was under review. When shall we have some results?

Mr. Green

I am sorry, but I cannot say more than I have said so far. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] It is slightly more complicated in fact than it appears on the surface. All I can tell the hon. Member is that it is not lost sight of.

Mr. Paget

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us why a toll bridge is tax-free and a parking meter is taxed?

Mr. Green

In this case there is a certain amount of history to the matter.

Hon. Members

Mystery.