65. Major the Marquess of TITCH-FIELDasked the Minister of Transport, the grounds on which he disallowed the appeal of the Southwell District Council against the action of the Notts County Council in taking away the repair and 432 maintenance of the unclassified roads; and whether he is aware that his decision is causing dissatisfaction?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONSection 35 of the Local Government, Act, 1929, provides that a county council shall grant an application for delegation in respect of unclassified roads unless they are satisfied that, having regard to the best means of promoting economy and efficiency in highway administration throughout the county, and to the particular circumstances of the district in respect of which application is made, the application ought not to be granted. In the case of the appeal referred to by the hot. Member, I decided, after considering the evidence, that the county council were justified on these grounds in refusing the district council's application.
Marquess of TITCHFIELDHas the hon. Gentleman sent an explanation to the Southwell Rural District Council?
§ Mr. MORRISONNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MORRISONI am not responsible for the drafting of the Section of the Act under which I am acting. The Section, I am afraid, was drafted as a result of political rather than administrative considerations. I am required to act judicially in the matter. I have acted judicially in the matter. It would not be right for hon. Members to try to bring pressure across the Floor of the House in order to coerce me to act in any but a judicial spirit.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEOn a point of Order. Is a Minister entitled, in answering a supplementary question, to allege that political motives governed any previous party in regard to legislation?