§ 74. Mr. WADDINGTONasked the Minister of Health what was the total expenditure by local authorities in Great Britain upon road and street maintenance during the last financial year for which the figures are available; what was the total expenditure by those authorities for 2027 interest on loans and debt redemption in respect of roads and streets during the same period; and what was the amount of the contribution to such authorities from the Road Fund in respect of road maintenance, and interest, and debt redemption during the same period?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAccording to returns received by my Department from local authorities in England and Wales for the year 1922-23, the local authorities expended (otherwise than out of loans) on the maintenance, repair, improvement and scavenging of public roads, streets and bridges sums amounting to £35,830,000, and paid as interest on loans and for the redemption of debt in respect of such roads, streets and bridges sums amounting to £4,415,000. The sums received by these authorities from Government Departments in respect of such expenditure amounted to £9,765,000, nearly all of which came from the Road Fund. For corresponding particulars re rating to Scotland I would refer my hon. Friend to the Secretary for Scotland.