HC Deb 04 April 1911 vol 23 cc1991-2
Mr. LANE-FOX

asked whether the Road Board, before making grants to a local authority for the improvement of their roads, is making the condition that an expenditure equivalent to the grant shall be promised by the authority; and, if so, whether this gives a preference to the wealthier authorities and penalises economy of the rates?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The Road Board before making grants to local authorities obtain estimates of the expenditure proposed to be incurred on the works of road improvement for which grants are sought and their grants take the form of contributions to the proposed expenditure, thereby reducing the burden on the rates. No local authority is obliged to proceed with any assisted work unless it desires to do so.

Mr. LANE-FOX

Is it not the fact the actual practice has been to make grants to local authorities likely to spend money out of the rates?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

Naturally, and that would supplement the grant.

Mr. PEEL

Did not the right hon. Gentleman say that the Road Board would impose no fresh burden, and is it not rather hard thus to put a fresh burden on the rates?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I should like the hon. Gentleman to give me a reference for that. I do not carry it in my head.

Mr. LANE-FOX

asked whether the Road Board, in allocating grants for the improvement of main roads, has made the condition, either express or implied, that the county councils receiving such grants shall undertake the responsibility for the maintenance of those roads by their own staff instead of proceeding under Section 11 (4) of the Local Government Act, 1888?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The Road Board do not attach any condition, express or implied, to their grants for the improvement of main roads that the county council to whom a grant is made shall undertake the direct maintenance of the road in question, but the Board, before deciding whether a grant should be made, endeavour to satisfy themselves that there is a reasonable probability that the proposed work will be efficiently and economically executed and will subsequently be properly maintained.