§ 46. Mr. John MacLeodasked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the letter which was sent by the Ross-shire County Council to the Divisional Road Engineer, Ministry of Transport, 21, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, relating to road grants; and whether he will make a statement.
Mr. BraithwaiteWe have considered this letter with sympathy. I much regret that the urgent need for economy in Government expenditure has meant a reduction in the total amount available in 1953–54 for assisting the maintenance and minor improvement of classified roads. My right hon. Friend has no power to make grants for the maintenance of unclassified roads. We have done our best to give Ross-shire its fair share of the money available.
§ Mr. MacLeodMay I make an appeal to the Minister to have more than a word with the Chancellor of the Exchequer over this, because it will be many more years before the leeway is made up if this disastrous policy of cutting road grants is continued? Is he aware that there is increasing wastage of labour and materials, particularly in the Highlands, and that local authorities are becoming very perturbed about it?
Mr. BraithwaiteI fully appreciate my hon. Friend's anxiety and, indeed, disappointment in this matter, but he will appreciate, I know, that the county council's own expenditure on road maintenance receives considerable assistance from central funds by virtue of the Exchequer equalisation grants under the Local Government Act.