23. Mr. W. M. ADAMSONasked the Minister of Transport whether he has received the recommendation of the Association of Midland Local Authorities Conference that a scheme should be instituted to provide financial assistance to local authorities who may be involved in the maintenance of canal bridges; and if he proposes to deal with the matter?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI received a deputation last November from the Association of Midland Local Authorities, on the subject of weak bridges in the ownership of railway and canal companies. As I 220 stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Warrington (Captain Reid) on the 20th of March last, I am setting aside during the current financial year a sum of £250,000 to be distributed by way of special grants from the Road Fund towards the cost of the reconstruction of weak railway and canal bridges, and the construction of bridges to replace level crossings on important roads.