HC Deb 20 March 1928 vol 215 cc202-3
29. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

asked the Minister of Transport why it is not practicable to make reduced grants from the Road Fund to local authorities which do not use British materials?

Colonel ASHLEY

There are many works of road maintenance carried out by highway authorities which do not come under the review of my Department, and which are not assisted by grants from the Road Fund. While impressing upon highway authorities the importance of using British materials to the utmost possible extent, I am not prepared entirely to remove their discretion in the matter, nor do I think it would be practicable to insist as a general practice on receiving information as to the origin of materials used on works which are the subject of grants as distinct from other works carried out by the same authority.

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND- TROYTE

Would it not be quite simple for the right hon. Gentleman to demand a guarantee from the local authorities that they were using British materials, and, if not, to reduce their grants by 5 or 7 per cent.?

Colonel ASHLEY

I am not prepared to do that, and I cannot interfere with the discretion of the local authority.

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND- TROYTE

Could they not have discretion as to whether they accepted a 5 per cent. reduction or used British materials?

30. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

asked the Minister of Transport the value of the road stone, setts, and kerbs imported during the year 1927; and how much of this sum is covered by grants from the Road Fund?

Colonel ASHLEY

The following is the declared value for the year 1927 of the importation into Great Britain and Northern Ireland from foreign countries of materials to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers:

£
(1) Granite, other than setts and pavement kerbs and monumental and architectural objects 232,305
(2) Granite setts and pavement kerbs 365,375
It should be observed that the first category may include classes of material which are not used as road-stone. I cannot say how large a proportion of these imported materials was utilised for works eligible for assistance from the Road Fund.