§ 44. Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Transport how many schemes to provide work, approved by the Ministry of Transport, were in operation in May, 1931; how many in May, 1932; and how many schemes have been turned down by him since September last?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Pybus)As the answer is necessarily rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. LUNNAs it is now only ten minutes past Three o'clock, I would like the Minister to give the answer to the House. Not long ago, I was told by the Minister that 1,000 schemes had been turned down in the last four months by this Government, and it would be interesting to know what is the position now in that respect. [HON. MEMBERS: "Circulate it."] I think, Mr. Speaker, we might have the answer.
§ Mr. PYBUSIn May, 1931, 1,221 schemes of improvement and new construction affecting classified roads and bridges were recorded as being in operation. I regret that I am not yet in a position to give the corresponding figure for this month, the latest available return being in respect of March, 1932, when 711 schemes were in operation. Since September last it has been decided after consultation with the highway authorities concerned to defer or curtail approximately 1,100 schemes of this character which were previously approved for grant from the Road Fund; the bulk of the schemes had not been commenced. There were also in May, 1931, a number of schemes in operation under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929. Although my Department is required to advise upon such of these schemes as affect transport or electricity, the responsibility for the grants is vested in the Treasury and the Ministry of Labour (for Parts I and II of the Act, respectively).