HC Deb 17 March 1964 vol 691 cc1169-71
17. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to ascertain the annual incomes derived from the ownership of tax-free toll bridges; and whether he will introduce legislation at an early date to ensure that such incomes become taxable.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

There is no statutory power to require full particulars of the annual incomes derived from tax-free toll bridges. As regards the second part of the Question, legislation in a Finance Bill would be required, and I cannot be expected to comment on such matters at this time of the year.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I raised this question two years ago and I have been getting the same, or a similar, Answer all that time? These bridges have been tax-free for nearly 200 years and, on the evidence of one of his own hon. Friends, the current income from one of these bridges in Yorkshire is £70,000 a year tax-free. If the right hon. Gentleman and his Government want an incomes policy to include all incomes, which he said that they did in answer to Question No. 11, had he not better start on these tax-free toll bridges?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I know the hon. Gentleman's point of view but I hope that he will study my Answer. I am glad that it is the same as he has received previously—it only shows the consistency of Government policy.

Mr. Jay

Does the use of the words "tax-free" in this connection means that income received from these bridges is exempt from Income Tax, and can the right hon. Gentleman explain how that can be so under existing Income Tax law?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The freedom from Income Tax on incomes from these toll bridges derives from 18th century Statutes under which they were set up, which conferred that immunity.

Mr. Jennings

Is it not time that these bridges were toll-free?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That is another question and, in any event, not one for me.

Mr. Hamilton

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what are the precise difficulties? He is quite right when he says that he is consistent; he is consistent in doing nothing at all about it. Can he confirm the figure that was given by his hon. Friend of £70,000 a year from the bridge near Selby in Yorkshire and, if his hon. Friend can get the figures, why cannot the right hon. Gentleman get them?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I cannot confirm or deny my hon. Friend's figures for the reason that I gave in my Answer, namely, that there is no power to require this information.

Mr. Houghton

If the right hon. Gentleman cannot tax them, will he nationalise them?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That would make quite certain that they would not make a profit.