HC Deb 15 May 1928 vol 217 cc848-9 The following question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. WOMERSLEY: 30. To ask the Minister of Transport the reasons why he refused the application of the Grimsby Borough Council, made on the 2nd April, for a grant towards the flagging of the footpaths of certain unclassified roads in the borough; and if he will reconsider his decision in view of the fact that the Unemployed Grants Committee refused to entertain a claim for a grant towards this work as it came outside their terms of reference, all schemes of road work being now tinder the Ministry of Transport?
Mr. SPEAKER

Sir Robert Thomas.

Mr. WOMERSLEY

May I ask Question No. 30, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member for Grimsby (Mr. Womersley) was not attending.

Mr. WOMERSLEY

I was attracted by the laughter from hon. Members around me. May I put my question now?

Colonel ASHLEY

I am bound to have some regard to the relative value of improvements from a traffic standpoint, and it is not my practice to make grants towards the class of work to which my hon. Friend refers, namely, the substitution of flagging for asphalt on the footways of unclassified roads in large towns. I regret that I cannot depart from this policy at Grimsby.

Mr. WOMERSLEY

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this was put up. as a scheme for the relief of unemployment and was turned down by the Unemployment Grants Committee because they said such schemes had to go to the Minister of Transport? In the reply is the Minister dealing with it as a scheme for the relief of unemployment or as a road scheme?

Colonel ASHLEY

I am dealing with it as a road scheme.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the hon. Member supported the plundering of the Road Fund, which accounts for this position?

Mr. WOMERSLEY

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that he did not?