§ 63. Mr. THURTLEasked the Minister of Transport the amount by which payments made out of the Road Fund for Scottish improvements for the period 1933 to 1935 exceeded the payments into the fund by Scottish road users during the same period?
§ Mr. HORE -BELISHAI do not imagine the hon. Member means improvements in the technical sense. Total payments out of the Road Fund to Scottish authorities exceeded receipts by approximately £566,000 in 1933–34 and. by,349,000 in 1934–35.
§ Mr. THURTLEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that, if Scotland continues to take out of this fund more than it pays into it, the legitimate needs of England and Wales may seriously suffer?
§ Mr. MATHERSIs not the fact that this sum is in excess of what is paid into the Road Fund simply an indication of the great need that there is for road expenditure in Scotland, and that it is not a reason for reducing expenditure?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the condition of London roads in relation to the Road Fund?
§ 67. Mr. GUYasked the Minister of Transport the total sum paid out of the Road Fund to Scottish local authorities as Exchequer contributions, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, from the passing of that Act to the end of the year 1934–35?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHA£3,417,596.
§ Mr. GUYHas the right hon. Gentleman any means of knowing whether the local authorities expend this sum on road maintenance?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI can only say that they are supposed to do so.