§ 52. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Transport how many men are employed on road schemes financed out of the Road Fund; and whether he anticipates an increase in the number of men so employed during the present year?
§ Colonel ASHLEYAssistance from the Road Fund is given to nearly all the 2,000 local authorities of the country, but as their roadmen are engaged partly on grant-earning and partly on non-grant-earning works, it is not possible to give the particulars for which the hon. and gallant Member asks; nor is it possible for me to predict whether the local authorities will increase or decrease their staffs during the present year.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman going to increase the assistance to local authorities this year?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman had better wait and see.
§ Major CRAWFURDHas the right hon. Gentleman given any further consideration to the suggestion made by one of his colleagues that he should raise a loan on the security of the Road Fund in order to provide more employment?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI do not think that arises out of the question.