§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Minister of Transport whether stipulations are attached to the grant of £750,000 for rural roads that allotments will only be made for definite improvements sanctioned by the Ministry and not for maintenance; whether these improvements necessitate any increased contributions from the rates; and whether the rural ratepayer will obtain therefrom any relief in the rates he now pays for the upkeep of four-fifths of the roads in this country?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOORE-BRABAZONI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which the Minister made in the House on the 5th August last, on the subject of the special allocation from the Road Fund of £750,000, during the year 1926–27, for rural roads. My right hon. Friend hopes to issue very shortly a circular letter on the subject to all highway authorities concerned.