HC Deb 18 June 1917 vol 94 c1429
66. Sir SAMUEL ROBERTS

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in the opinion of his Department, the repairing of the roadways of Eccleston Street and Chester Square is a work of national importance; and, if not, whether the Westminster City Corporation will be restrained from employing on this and similar operations numbers of able-bodied men whose labour is wanted for vital purposes connected with the War?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

I have no reason to suppose that the Westminster City Corporation is not alive to the need for reducing the work of road maintenance to the minimum compatible with public safety. They have, I believe, largely reduced their expenditure in this direction.

Sir S. ROBERTS

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly have that question and reply sent to the corporation?

Mr. FISHER

I will gladly draw the attention of the corporation to the question and answer, but the Local Government Board have no legal power in the matter.