§ Mr. PALINGasked the Minister of Transport how many toll bridges are in use in this country; how many charge a fee of 1s. or over for vehicular traffic; what is the highest fee charged; and in how many cases are negotiations proceeding for taking over such bridges by the local authorities concerned?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 34 to 36 of the Report on the Administration of the Road Fund for the year 1923–24, from1096W which he will see that there are 64 toll-roads and 127 toll-bridges in England and Wales. I am advised that on eight of the roads and 29 of the bridges the charge imposed upon vehicles is 1s. or more. The same report also contains certain particulars of negotiations then proceeding for the taking over of toll bridges by local authorities. I am not, at present, in a position to amplify that information although I have reason to believe that the movement towards the freeing of tolls is very general.