HC Deb 01 May 1922 vol 153 cc972-3
56. Captain R. TERRELL

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he will state the aggregate amount of expenditure on roads and bridges obtained from local rates and from the direct taxation of motor vehicles during the past year; whether the proportion is officially regarded as fair; and whether he is aware of the strength of agricultural feeling on the disparity of the contribution and the weight of the local burden?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Mr. Neal)

Accurate particulars are not yet available as to the amount spent out of rates upon roads and bridges during the past financial year. The best estimate I can form is that a total sum of approximately£50,000,000 was spent by highway authorities, towards which payments have been made or promised from the Road Fund amounting to about£10,000,000. I am aware of the views held on the subject of this expenditure by certain representa- tives of agricultural interests, but I do not think that they appreciate to the full extent the benefit accruing to local authorities by the introduction of the new motor licence duties.

Captain TERRELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, whether the proportion is officially regarded as fair?

Mr. NEAL

A very much larger proportion is paid than was ever paid before.

Mr. PRETYMAN

Do not the Government think it is time there should be a complete inquiry into the method of how roads are constructed and the expense of roads? It is a matter of the very first importance and of extreme difficulty.

Mr. NEAL

An inquiry is proceeding regularly as to the construction of roads, and recently committees have been set up in each area of county and county borough surveyors in order to get the best and latest information and to secure economy and stability.

Mr. PRETYMAN

Has that inquiry going on any bearing upon the financial side of the question as between motor traffic and the local authorities?

Mr. NEAL

It is very difficult to separate that from the larger question of local and national finance. The taxation is a special form upon a special class of taxpayers.

Mr. PRETYMAN

Does not that answer show the necessity for an inquiry.

Mr. SPEAKER

This is becoming a Debate.