§ 41. Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, though the Road Fund has given considerable relief to the maintenance of rural roads, the increase of traffic on these roads has been proportionately very much greater; and whether he is prepared to recommend a very largely increased grant for the relief of highway expenditure in rural areas upon all classes of roads?
§ Mr. GOSLINGThe question of the provision of further assistance during the current financial year for the improvement of important roads in rural areas is under consideration. As regards the last part of the question I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on the 27th May to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Colonel ASHLEYMight I press the hon. Gentleman to come to a decision very soon, as the district councils want to know what money they will have available?
§ Mr. LOVERSEEDIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many of the district councils this year are totally unable to deal with the roads because of the insufficiency of the grants?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI am looking into the matter and will give an answer to these questions shortly.
§ 42. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Minister of Transport what further allocation of funds will be made to rural district councils during the current financial year to assist them in the improvement of the roads in their areas?
§ Mr. GOSLINGThe matter is still under consideration, but if the right hon. Gentleman will repeat his question after the Whitsuntide Recess, I hope then to be in a position to say definitely whether any further assistance can be given during the current financial year to the improvement of important roads in rural areas.