§ 76. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Transport what was the surplus in the Road Fund in the years 1926, 1924 and 1923?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am not clear what the hon. and gallant Member wishes to imply by the use of the word "surplus." Statements on the position of the Road Fund at the end of the financial years in question are to be found in paragraph 3 of each of the Annual Reports on the Administration of the Road Fund for the years 1922–23, 1923–24 and 1924–25 respectively.
§ Lieut. -Commander KENWORTHYDid not the right hon. Gentleman inform me last week that he anticipated a surplus of £17,000,000 at the end of the present financial year? I only wish to make a comparison of the figures with previous years.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read that very excellent Report, he will see the figures.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWhy is it that the right hon. Gentleman has a road surplus, when I have roads in my own constituency upon which I could spend practically the whole of his surplus?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThen there would be a deficit.
§ Major CRAWFURDIs not the use of the word "surplus" in this connection entirely misleading?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThat is what I think.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer constantly uses that word?