§ MR. KING (Cheshire, Knutsford)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the increased cost to various county councils during the last six years of maintaining the main roads, amounting in some cases to as much as 60 per cent.; to what extent does he attribute this increase to the development of motor traffic; and does he propose to introduce legislation to deal with this question, and also with the nuisance and danger to the public health arising from 412 the dust raised by motor cars in dry weather.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI am aware that there has been a growth in the cost of maintaining main roads in recent years, but I cannot say to what extent this is attributable to the development of motor traffic. As I have intimated on previous occasions, no promise can be given to introduce legislation to deal with this question, or with the subject of motor traffic during the present session.