HC Deb 19 February 1930 vol 235 cc1378-9
85. Mr. SHAKESPEARE

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will increase the grants for roads definitely scheduled as trunk roads?

Mr. HERBERT MORRISON

In order to expedite work for the relief of unemployment, the Government authorised last summer a special programme of approved works of reconstruction on selected Class I roads. The rate of grant from the Road Fund to such works is 75 per cent., which is increased in special cases, according to the character of the area and the conditions regarding the recruitment of labour. I am not prepared to increase the existing scale of grants.

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

Does the Minister realise that some county councils are paying three or four times as much for road construction work as they were before the War; and is he aware that the refusal to treat the roads as a national charge is keeping scores of thousands of men at the Employment Exchanges?

Mr. MORRISON

I am not aware of the fact stated in the latter part of the supplementary question. With regard to the first part, it is because of the increase in highway maintenance costs that State grants on a substantial scale are given.

Mr. SKELTON

Could the hon. Gentleman give the House the number of unemployed men who are being employed on this scheme?

Mr. SPEAKER

That matter does not arise.