HC Deb 21 December 1932 vol 273 c1060
24. Sir WILLIAM WAYLAND

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the importance to both London and the coastal towns of completing the coastal road between Faversham and Thanet to relieve the traffic congestion through Canterbury and to reduce unemployment, he will reconsider his decision, as money is now cheap, and give the necessary grants to complete the work?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)

I regret that the financial position of the Road Fund does not at present warrant the promise of assistance towards the completion of the Kent coastal road.

Sir W. WAYLAND

Does not the Minister consider that it is time, in the existing easy money situation, to open the national purse-strings in order to complete these very necessary works, especially in view of the absorption of a certain number of unemployed men?

Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

Does my hon. and gallant Friend think that, if this grant is made, it will be possible to reduce the Beer Duty?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

As we do not borrow for road grants, the question of cheap money does not arise.