§ 40. Mr. L. SMITHasked the Minister of Transport the number of schemes of replacement which have hitherto been adopted in respect of the 1,136 weak bridges in England as scheduled in the railway companies' list; and how many of such adopted schemes have actually been carried out?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI cannot identify the list referred to by my hon. Friend. Highway authorities are well aware of my readiness to make grants at the rate of 75 per cent. towards the cost of approved schemes for the reconstruction of weak bridges. Since the 1st April, 1933, 102 schemes for the reconstruction, strengthening or enlargement of weak bridges owned by railway or canal companies or in other private ownership have been approved for grant from the Road Fund.
§ Mr. SMITHIs my hon. Friend satisfied with the progress that is being made with replacement, and is he considering some means of accelerating it?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI am by no means satisfied with the progress that has been made. My hon. Friend is aware that the grant from the Road Fund is an exceptionally high one, 75 per cent., and I wish that more authorities would avail themselves of it.