§ 20. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that his reduction of the road maintenance grant to Staffordshire is causing the postponement of essential repairs and prolonging dangerous situations, an example of which has been brought to his attention by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme; and if he will reconsider this decision.
Mr. BraithwaiteAs the hon. Member was informed on 9th June, Staffordshire has received a fair share of the money available for road maintenance. I realise that this is less than would be desirable in more prosperous times, but I regret that my right hon. Friend is at present unable to increase the allocation.
§ Mr. SwinglerBut the point is that maintenance has been cut. Is the Minister aware that road safety propaganda is no substitute for eliminating danger spots on the road, and is he prepared to reconsider a grant in this case if the members of the Staffordshire County Council put to him a number of really dangerous situations which cannot be covered by the present expenditure?
Mr. BraithwaiteExpenditure on maintenance does not cover black spots which are given special grants, but I will discuss with the hon. Member any individual cases he may have in mind in his constituency.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesWould the hon. Gentleman tell the House how he allocates a fair share of grants to the various counties, and has he some differential basis by means of which main highways from port to port and across country get bigger grants than counties that are off the main transport routes?