§ MR. LEAKE (Lancashire, S.E., Radcliffe)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Will the contribution under the proposed Local Government Bill from the County Councils to District Councils for the maintenance and repair of main roads be the entire expenditure legalized by "The Highways and Locomotive Amendment Act, 1878," and not, as at present, the half of such expenditure?
THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)All main roads are to be wholly maintained and repaired by the County Council, except in the case of an Urban Authority which, in accordance with the provisions of the Bill, claim to retain 340 under their own control the maintenance of main roads within their district. In that case, as I have previously stated in reply to Questions in this House, where a contribution from the County Council is to be made to the District Council, it will be based on the total expenditure for maintenance of the road. Under Clause 15 (3) of the Bill, the amount of this contribution is to be settled by agreement, or, in default of an agreement, by arbitration.