§ 31. Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called 270 to a resolution of the Berkshire County Council of 26th May, 1925, that the time has come when the Ministry of Transport should extend the principle of contributions hitherto limited to classified roads and should make grants out of the Road Fund towards the cost of improvement and maintenance of unclassified roads and thereby ease the heavy burden of the cost of road maintenance and improvement borne by the ratepayers, large numbers of whom contribute by motor taxes to the Road Fund; and whether, in view of the large increase in the Road Fund, he will now make a grant on a percentage basis for all unclassified roads?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, I am, as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, now considering whether and in what manner it would be possible to give increased assistance to unclassified roads, but I am not in a position at this stage to make any definite statement.
§ Captain BRASSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has any power to prevent heavy lorries going on unclassified roads?
§ Colonel ASHLEYCertainly, there are powers vested in the local authorities to make certain representations, and then, after holding a public inquiry, it is in the power of the Minister to prohibit certain classes of traffic going on certain roads.