§ 64. Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Minister of Transport whether it will be possible to make an earlier notification to county councils of approved 75 per cent. grants for roads than is at present the case?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe hon. Member's question appears to refer to the special grants made in respect of certain Class I roads in the Highlands. I can assure him that every endeavour will be made to give to local authorities the earliest possible indication of the grants to be made in the next financial year in respect of approved works.
§ Major PRICEDoes that apply to all county councils both in England and in Wales?
§ Colonel ASHLEYYes, but I assumed that the hon. Member was dealing specifically with the Highlands.
Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGANAre we to understand that there have been no grants made since the Budget dealt with this matter and that they will not be made until January of next year?
§ Colonel ASHLEYOh, no, the hon. and gallant Member must not assume that no grants have been made. Of course, as regards the future, I cannot indicate grants until the Road Fund Budget has been declared.
Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we were told by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that no grants would be made after July of this year?
§ Colonel ASHLEYTo what grants does the hon. and gallant Gentleman refer?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe hon. and gallant Member is aware that there are other reasons why his particular works cannot be undertaken.
§ 65. Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Minister of Transport whether he has received applications from certain county councils in Scotland for a revision of the method whereby payments of grants towards road maintenance are made quarterly in arrear, so that in future they should be made in advance in order to save the cost to the councils concerned of bank overdrafts; and whether he is now prepared to reconsider the present system of payment?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I regret I do not see my way to adopt the revised method of payment advocated by the hon. Member, and I am sending him a copy of an explanatory letter on this subject addressed on the 21st July last to the Secretary of the Association of County Councils in Scotland.
§ Sir R. HAMILTONIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the great expense to which these county councils are put by having to make their payments before they receive the grants from the Board?
§ Colonel ASHLEYYes, but I do not think it is unreasonable. We pay promptly every quarter, and I do not think that I should be justified in paying for work until I knew that it had been done.
§ Sir R. HAMILTONIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that from the point of view of the county council the opinion is the opposite?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe hon. Member must remember that what you have to 1185 pay for at once are the wages and that, as regards materials, they probably have not to be met for some months.
§ Major PRICECannot the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give grants on account?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo, Sir, not in advance.