HC Deb 18 June 1931 vol 253 cc1924-5
34. Brigadier - General CLIFTON BROWN

asked the Minister of Health what was the ratio of rates to taxes in the cost of the maintenance and construction of highways in England and Wales in the last year for which statistics are available; and whether the cost to the rates of highways in country districts shows a higher ratio to taxes than in towns and cities?

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)

As the answer contains a number of figures in tabular form I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The latest year for which statistics are available is the year 1928–29. The net expenditure on highways in England and Wales in that year was defrayed approximately as to 75 per cent. out of local rates and as to 25 per cent. out of Government grants.

In different classes of areas, the proportions were as shown below.

Class of Area. Approximate proportion of net expenditure, other than capital expenditure, but including loan charges, falling on Approximate proportion of capital expenditure falling on
Government Grants. Rates. Government Grants. Receipts from loans and other capital receipts.
Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.
London 10 90 9 91
County Boroughs 12 88 17 83
Administrative Counties outside London:
Expenditure of:
(a) County Councils* 40 60 47 53
(b) Town Councils and Urban District Councils. 13 87 15 85
(c) Rural District Councils 26 74 32 68
* This expenditure is chargeable uniformly over the urban and rural areas in each county and cannot be allocated as between those areas.

In consequence of the transfer to county councils, under the Local Government Act, 1929, of the district roads in rural districts, and of all classified district roads in boroughs and urban districts, the proportion of the expenditure on highways which is chargeable uniformly over the urban and rural areas in a county will, as from the 1st April, 1930, be greatly increased.