§ 31. Mr. LAWTHERasked the Minister of Transport what changes, if any, have 1613 taken place in relation to the question of the amounts of grants towards county councils in order to further the development of their road schemes?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Mr. Parkinson)In a circular which my right hon. Friend issued to highway authorities on the 27th March last, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, he explained that the normal rates of grant given in 1930–31 to approved schemes of road improvement and new construction would be continued in the current financial year, but that the additional grant of 15 per cent. which was offered subject to special conditions as to the recruitment of labour, in July, 1929, in connection with the Five Years' Programme (the primary object of which was the expedition of works for the relief of unemployment) would not be available, except in respect of schemes for which the additional grant had already been made or promised. From the commencement of the programme, schemes were only approved on the understanding that work would be put in hand at an early date, and the Government have decided that save in exceptional circumstances the additional grant shall not remain available for schemes on which work had not been commenced by the 31st March last, i.e. eighteen months after the terms were announced. No change has been made in the rates of grant to county councils for work in connection with the Trunk Roads Scheme.
§ Mr. LAWTHERWill my hon. Friend be prepared to ask his right hon. Friend whether it is intended to reconsider the application, having regard to the fact that schemes were projected before the last circular was sent out?
§ Mr. PARKINSONI know that many schemes have received consideration, but it was definitely laid down in the circular that it was expected that work would be commenced by 25th March. However, I will convey the remarks of my hon. Friend to the Minister.