§ 16. Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Minister of Transport how many miles of unclassified roads in England and Wales were scheduled in 1926 and received grants from the Road Fund; and how many miles were kept up by the rates and get no grant from the Road Fund?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe mileage of unclassified roads in rural areas in England and Wales scheduled during 1926 for grants towards maintenance expenditure was 35,859 miles. There remain 86,327 miles of unclassified public roads, including the unclassified roads in urban areas, which are not eligible for maintenance grants.
Brigadier-General BROWNIn view of the very high rates district councils pay, 10s. in the pound, is it not time they 826 got something more out of the Road Fund?
§ Colonel ASHLEYWe started this grant last year, and we are giving the same grant this year. I think it is a very big advance on what has been done in previous years.
§ Mr. LUNNIn view of the growing unemployment in the small urban areas, would it not be advisable to assist local authorities from the Road Fund to do more in the development of their roads?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThere is a very large unemployment programme still to be carried through by the local authorities and the Ministry of Transport, and unemployment is thereby being helped.
§ Mr. TAYLORCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is included in that programme any work on unclassified roads in urban areas?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI cannot answer that question without notice.