53. Sir DOUGLAS NEWTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Ministry of Transport have, at the instance of the Treasury, refused to pay grants out of the Road Fund to highway authorities in respect of the repayment of principal and payment of interest on loans raised prior to the 15th August, 1919, for the reconstruction of main roads classified by the Ministry; and, seeing that this decision is inequitable in its operation, inasmuch as it penalises those authorities which have taken early steps to improve the condition of their roads in accordance with the requirements of modern traffic, and benefits those authorities which are only now undertaking similar work, in these circumstances, he is now prepared to reconsider the matter, and to give instructions that the repayment of principal and payment of interest on loans raised prior to 15th August, 1919, shall be regarded as charges for maintenance and repair, and admitted for grant accordingly?
§ Mr. NEALI have been asked to reply, and, as I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Royton on the 11th instant, I am unable to hold out any hope of a reversal of the Government's decision.