HC Deb 14 May 1914 vol 62 cc1286-7
78. Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is proposed that the new Exchequer Grants in respect of main and county roads shall be applied solely to the maintenance of such roads, and in no way affect the existing Grants from the Road Board for the purpose of the improvement of the main roads as distinct from their maintenance; and whether he contemplates an even larger expenditure upon main roads in the future owing to the increase of industrial motor traffic, with the result that the prospective cost of road maintainance will more than absorb the proposed additional Government Grants?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; on the second part, which is purely conjectural, I am not prepared to express an opinion.

79. Mr. C. BATHURST

asked how soon it is proposed to commence a classification of roads into main, county, and district roads, respectively, and when it is estimated that such classification will be completed; and what Grants, if any, will be made in the meantime to enable local authorities to meet the growing expenditure out of local rates for the maintenance of main and county roads?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The classification is being made by the Road Board, but I fear at present I cannot name a date at which it will be complete. It is anticipated, however, that the provisional classification will be ready in time to furnish a basis on which the proportion of the additional Grants which will be voted this year in aid of expenditure upon roads may be distributed to the local authorities in the course of the financial year.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Does that mean that some of the Grants will be available before the end of the present year?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The Grants from the 1st December will be available this year, and that will be for about four months of the year.

Captain MURRAY

I would like to ask whether the Grants will be made on the recommendation of the Treasury or by the Road Board?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

It is the Road Board that will adjudicate upon the question of classification, and they will make a provisional classification for the purposes of distribution this year, and we shall certainly accept their recommendation in that respect.

Mr. G. TERRELL

I would like to ask whether the local authorities will be consulted in connection with the proposed classification?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Of course I cannot answer for the Road Board, but I have no doubt they will consult the local authorities upon a matter of such considerable importance to the localities.

Mr. R. GWYNNE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the whole of the cost will be borne by the local authorities, such as the taking of the census of the roads?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I would rather have a question put down upon that subject.