§ 38. Mr. MANSFIELDasked the Minister of Transport whether schemes of improvement on unclassified roads, undertaken by local authorities in areas where the average rate of unemployment for the past 12 months exceeded 15 per cent. of adult males, will be available for the additional grant of 15 per cent. as promised in the statements to local authorities?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONThe additional grant of J5 per cent. from the Road Fund which is available to local authorities in areas where the average rate of unemployment for the 12 months ended 16th June, 1930, exceeded 15 per cent. is given only in respect of expenditure on approved works of widening and similar improvements of classified roads, and the construction of new roads of classification value, which can be effectively commenced before the 31st March, 1931. Similar works on unclassified roads which are substantially accelerated for the relief a unemployment will be considered by the Unemployment Grants Committee for grants either on the loan basis or the wages basis. In both cases, the highest rate of grant offered by the Committee is now available in respect of approved works to be undertaken in the areas to which my hon. Friend refers. In addition, grants are made from the Road Fund, at the rate of 50 per cent., towards the cost of approved works of widening and improvement carried out in the ordinary course on unclassified roads.