§ 24. Sir JOHN SPEARasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the damage being done to the roads of the country by the increase of motor lorries and heavy traction engines; and if he will 430 consider the desirability of increasing the licences on these vehicles, the proceeds to be paid to the bodies responsible for the repair of the roads?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe whole question of heavy motor traffic is under consideration.
§ Mr. MONTAGUI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Andover (Captain Faber) yesterday asked a question on the subject of my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board, and the reply was that a Technical Committee on the law and the regulations relating to heavy motor cars and traction engines was about to be appointed.
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt is a Departmental Committee.
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not think so, but perhaps my hon. Friend will address a question on that point to the President of the Local Government Board.
§ Mr. KINGDoes the hon. Gentleman realise how little confidence there is in technical experts, and will some practical men be appointed? [HON. MEMBERS: "King!"]
§ 25. Sir JOHN SPEARasked what was the amount of money collected from carriage and motor car licences by the county councils of England and Wales during the last complete year; and how much of such sum was retained by these bodies towards the cost of the upkeep of the roads?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe total collection in England and Wales during 1913–14 was £1,103,593 19s. 11d. Of this £536,954 8s. was retained by the councils of counties and county boroughs under the provisions of Section 88 (2) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, as amended by Section 18 of the Revenue Act, 1911, and the balance less cost of collection was paid to the Road Board.