HC Deb 20 April 1914 vol 61 cc587-8
23. Mr. C. BATHURST

asked whether the Road Board, after making a grant to the Wiltshire County Council of 50 per cent. of the cost of tar-spraying the main roads of the county where they pass through the more populous villages, have recently intimated that no further grant will be made for this purpose, with the result that the whole cost of the process will be thrown upon the county ratepayers; and, if so, whether, seeing that at least two-thirds of the dust nuisance from which the villages suffer is in that county occasioned by pleasure-seeking motorists living outside the county, the Government will undertake that an adequate proportion of the total cost of abating such nuisance shall continue to be defrayed out of the Motor Licence and the Petrol Duties which constitute the Road Board Fund?

Mr. MONTAGU

A conference between the Board and representatives of the Wiltshire County Council has been fixed to be held on the 21st instant. Perhaps the hon. Member will therefore postpone his question.

46. Mr. BRIDGEMAN

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to take any steps to carry out the recommendations of the Civil Service Commission that the Road Board should be brought under Ministerial and Parliamentary control, and its staff brought under Civil Service rules?

The PRIME MINISTER

The recommendation will be carefully considered, along with the other recommendations of the Royal Commission.