§ 71. Mr. EVERARDasked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider, when allocating the sum of £750,000 granted for the upkeep of rural roads, giving a preference to those councils who use only British granite and materials?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe use of British road materials is urged upon ail highway authorities receiving grants from the Road Fund, but I do not consider that the assistance to be given to rural roads should be qualified by the suggested preferential terms.
§ Mr. EVERARDDoes my right hon. Friend not think that this would be a way in which the Government could give a lead in regard to the purchase of British material?
§ Colonel ASHLEYWe are doing our best to urge local authorities to use British material, but the ultimate responsibility must rest with the local authorities.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWould this proposal not enable the owners of British granite quarries to make bigger profits on their products?