HC Deb 02 December 1936 vol 318 cc1248-9
37. Sir WILLIAM JENKINS

asked the Minister of Transport whether, as successor to the Road Board, he has exercised the powers to construct and maintain any new roads or bridges, with the approval of the Treasury, contained in Section 8 (1) of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909; and, if so, what works have been undertaken, where, and at what cost in each case?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

No, Sir.

41. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is proposed to increase the grants from the Road Fund towards road construction by local authorities in special or any other areas; and, if so, what the increases are to be and to what areas any such increases apply?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

My Department is concerned in this matter with encouraging public facilities for traffic, and to this end makes grants on a graduated scale for approved works.

Mr. DAVIES.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind those distressed areas which are not scheduled as "Special", which are in a very bad way financially as far as the local authorities are concerned, and cannot the Executive grant of 75 per cent. be made towards construction in these cases?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I have said in the answer that the grants are graduated. I am a traffic authority, and must be concerned with the value to the public of any improvement.

Mr. LOGAN

Does that answer mean that, as far as Liverpool is concerned, the question of the tunnel may receive further consideration?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I do not understand what the hon. Gentleman means by "further consideration". The tunnel, happily, is already there.

Mr. LOGAN

I am aware that the tunnel is there, but what I am wondering is whether the Minister who is dealing with these matters is also there. I am asking him whether it means that the question of the expense of taking over the tunnel may be considered by his Department?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

No, Sir; my Department have made a very lavish contribution to the construction of this tunnel, and the use of it has, happily, exceeded all the estimates.