HL Deb 13 February 1863 vol 169 cc293-4
THE EARL OF AIRLIE

inquired, Whether the Government intend to introduce any Measure for the better Management of Roads in Scotland? The attempt which had hitherto been made to abolish tolls on the roads in Scotland had failed, and he was not surprised at it. But there was another class of roads, known as the statute labour roads, which were kept in repair by assessment of property. The funds raised for this purpose were quite inadequate, and the result was that the roads were every year getting worse and worse, and it was very desirable that some change should be effected. All they wanted was to get power to assess themselves for this purpose; and he believed that if the Government were to introduce a measure with this object, it would receive the general support of the Scotch Members.

THE DUKE OF ARGYLL

supposed that the question of his noble Friend referred to the Bill introduced two years ago for the abolition of tolls on the roads in Scotland. With regard to that measure, the reception which it had received was not calculated to encourage the Government to introduce that measure again. That was, in fact, one of the points—almost the only point— on which it was impossible to get harmony of action among the Scotch Members of Parliament. He should suggest that the best method of meeting the evil was for each county to do that which was done in the county with which he was more immediately connected—get a local Act and assess itself under it,

THE DUKE OF MONTROSE

said, that a general Road Act would operate unfairly, because it would throw the burden of the maintenance of the roads on the owners of property, and not on those who, like omnibus and coach proprietors, made the most use of the roads. In fact, the great promoters of road reform in Scotland were the owners of public vehicles, who, under the proposed change, would be entirely exempted from payment of the tolls to which they were now liable. The statute labour roads stood on a different footing, and it was desirable that more money should be raised for their maintenance.