§ 43 and 44. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Transport (1) why he issued circular 667 to local highway authorities without the knowledge of their representative associations and while negotiations were in progress; whether he has considered the terms of the resolution passed by the Sutton Coldfield Town Council on 4th July, of which a copy has been sent to him, protesting against the continued restrictions upon highway maintenance and drawing attention to the accumulation of arrears; and what action he proposes to take;
(2) why, in circular 667 to local highway authorities, he has required them to limit expenditure on unclassified roads to 90 per cent. of the annual average for 1946 to 1949; whether he is aware that, owing to increased cost of labour and materials, this represents a cut in excess of 10 per cent. in work; and if he can give an estimate of the ultimate cost of overtaking the deterioration due to the present cut.
78. Colonel Clarkeasked the Minister of Transport why, in June last, after entering into consultation with road authorities on the subject of limiting expenditure on unclassified roads, he then issued unilateral instructions thereby bypassing the said authorities with whom he was in consultation.
§ Mr. BarnesThe request made in the circular was decided on by the Government in order to enable some improvement to be made in the standard of maintenance of the roads of greatest national importance without materially increasing expenditure upon roads as a 951 whole. The associations of local authorities had been invited to suggest how this object could be achieved, but no proposals had been received from them when in June it became necessary to take decisions about the investment programme.
In asking for the 10 per cent. reduction, the effect of the increase in prices was not overlooked. Economies in road maintenance may inevitably involve some deterioration which will have to be made good in future years, but it is not possible to estimate the cost or incidence precisely.
In defending these economies I am not unmindful of the many protests I have received from highway authorities, including those from the Sutton Coldfield Town Council, against the restrictions which I have had with the greatest regret to impose upon highway maintenance in the wider national interests.
§ Sir J. Mellorwhy did the Minister tell the County Councils' Association on 23rd May that he was confined in a financial straitjacket and that they should try to influence public and Parliamentary opinion so that a bigger share of public funds would be allotted for road work? Is not that a complete abdication of his Ministerial responsibilities?
§ Mr. Barnesi do not think so. I have stated in the House, when we have been considering these matters, that there is not a collective awareness of the importance of roads and highways in this country. That is a general view. I do not think it conflicts in any way with dealing with the details of any problem.
Colonel Clarkedoes the Minister appreciate that starting negotiations and then unilaterally settling things without further reference to those with whom he started these negotiations is very much resented? Does he realise that it starts off in a very unfavourable atmosphere—negotiations for making economies, which are never very easy anyhow?
§ Mr. Barneson these matters one really must get decisions. I have subsequently met the local authorities again and have impressed upon them the desirability of getting an agreement on this matter. No one would welcome more than I a proper co-operative consultation on this rather difficult subject.
§ Sir J. Mellordoes the Minister agree that the longer maintenance is deferred the greater must be the ultimate cost?
§ Mr. Barnesi certainly agree with that; that applies to all the roads. The point involved here is whether there should be a greater proportional expenditure on roads of lesser national importance.
Colonel Clarkedoes the Minister realise the importance of these smaller roads, particularly in an agricultural community, and that rural authorities could not be expected to give an answer offhand?
§ Mr. Barnesi recognise the importance of all our highways, but it does not alter the point to which I have just replied; it is a matter of distributing whatever resources are available to the best advantage.