The Marquess of Salisburysaid, he had moved, during the last Session, for certain returns relative to Turnpike Trusts. He wished to know when those returns would be made?
§ Viscount Melbournesaid, he would inquire about them.
The Marquess of Salisburygave notice, that after the Easter recess he would move for a select committee to investigate the subject.
Lord Broughamsaid, that he hoped the noble Marquess would take some other matters connected with this subject into consideration also. He begged to remind the noble Marquess, that in consequence of late changes there were now scarcely any inns on the roads, and scarcely any roads, and that unless one chose to travel at the rate of three or four hundred miles a day, he could not travel at all. He hoped the House would go into the consideration of this subject with a view to this as well as to the eight millions of money invested in this description of property, and the many widows and orphans that depended upon it. He knew some very cruel cases that had already occurred; he knew one instance in which an income of 200l. a-year had been cut down to 40l. He hoped, that some ease would be given, as far as they could without violating any principle, and he thought, that they would not be violating any principle, if they took off the post-horse duty, which would enable the post-masters on certain roads to keep their heads above 353 water a little time longer. If he thought, that his voice could reach to the enormous distance at which the Chancellor of the Exchequer stood, whether that right hon. Gentleman were performing the duties of his office, whether he were enjoying his dinner, or whether he were attending to his duties in the other House of Parliament, he would tell him, that if he did not give up the post-horse duty, it would give him up.