§ 11. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Transport what grants-in-aid have been made by his Department during the past 10 years to restore damage to surface transport facilities between Manchester and Crewe which have suffered as a result of subsidence of land in that region due to brine pumping; and whether he proposes to 9 give any further assistance in this matter, in view of the increase of such subsidence recently.
§ Mr. BarnesI do not make any grants specifically for this purpose. County councils receive each year grants from the Road Fund towards the cost of maintaining their classified roads which would include any expenditure falling on the Council in respect of such roads as a result of subsidence.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley - DavenportDoes not the Minister expect further very heavy subsidence in view of the collapse of the main railway line between Crewe and Manchester? Who is to pay for all this damage?
§ Mr. BarnesIf the railway is damaged, the British Transport Commission will have to meet that cost. I shall not have to meet it out of the Road Fund.