§ 60. Sir EDWARD ILIFFEasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the completion of so many of the principal roads in the arterial road programme is throwing an increasing number of workpeople out of work; and whether he will expedite other works of new construction necessary to relieve the congestion on the approach roads to the great centres of population and provide the necessary road space for the daily increasing number of motor vehicles?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIn spite of the completion of many of the principal items in the, arterial road programme, there re-mains a balance of about £15 millions to be met in respect of road works expedited for the relief of unemployment and still in, progress. Of this total about £10 millions remain to be paid in grants from the Road Fund. There are other large works in progress or in prospect which are not included in the above figures, and it must also be borne in mind that in allocating the revenues of the Road Fund it has been necessary to have regard to the growing burden of maintenance which falls upon the local authorities. In all the circumstances, I am not disposed at 1604 the moment to press local authorities to initiate fresh schemes for the construction of new arterial roads.