HC Deb 05 June 1924 vol 174 cc1459-60
75. Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received representations from the Clydebank Town Council for a grant towards the making of a new road which is urgently needed in the district; and if he will state the reason for which the request has been refused, seeing that it would give work where it is needed?

Mr. GOSLING

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A grant has been offered to the town council of 50 per cent. of the cost of the works situated within the burgh boundaries, and 60 per cent. of the cost of the works outside.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is not my hon. Friend aware that the statement was made on Cabinet authority that 100 per cent., and not 50 per cent., would he given to work of this description? Not a halfpenny has been granted since Labour came into power. That grant was offered to Clydebank before Labour came into power.

Viscount CURZON

On a point of Order. Is not this question exactly similar to one put by the hon. Member yesterday? May we know how it is he has managed to get it on the Paper?

Mr. SPEAKER

It was on my advice, because there was an error in Tuesday's question. But the hon. Member was making a speech on the question.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is my hon. Friend aware that this district has been certified as a necessitous area, that the offer was made by the past Government and that repeated requests were made to this Government in the hope that more generous treatment would be given?

Mr. MAXTON

Will the Minister tell us how it is that for a very similar road starting only 10 miles away the Conservative Government granted money in the proportion of 75 per cent. from the Exchequer and 25 per cent. from local sources, and why should the district re presented by my hon. Friend be specially discriminated against?

Mr. GOSLING

The only answer I can give is that my friends had better see me in confidence.

Sir F. HALL

Is not that a way of trying to square matters?

Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON

Will the hon. Gentleman see representatives from south of the Tweed?