§ 40. Colonel ACLAND - TROYTE (for Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWN)asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give county and rural district road authorities powers to close any of their unclassified roads which get no grant from Government road funds against heavy motor traffic without having first to obtain permission from the Ministry of Transport, with a view to saving waste of ratepayers' money on roads that have no proper foundation for lorries over three tons weight?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am not disposed to introduce legislation to alter the existing law relating to the closing of highways to certain classes of traffic.
§ 41. Mr. FORREST (for Colonel ENGLAND)asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of his offer to make grants in certain cases up to 50 per cent, of the cost of work necessary for reconditioning and making fit for heavy motor traffic important district roads which are neither in Class I nor II, he can state 1291 what applications he has received in connection therewith; and what grants have hitherto been made?
§ Colonel ASHLEYTo tabulate the information sought by the hon. and gallant Member in the first part of his question would involve a great amount of labour, and I trust therefore that he will not press for it. With regard to the last part, I would state that up to 31st March, 1925, grants amounting to £1,508,193 (£1,426,878 England and Wales and £81,315 Scotland) had been made or offered in respect of works on roads not scheduled in Class I or II.
§ Mr. J. JONESIn view of the large numbers who are out of work, would not this be a reasonable opportunity of giving general employment?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI do not agree with the principle of having work done simply for the sake of having it done.