HC Deb 23 March 1953 vol 513 cc461-2
11. Mr. Grimond

asked the Minister of Transport figures of the grants, by classification, for roads in the crofter counties this year and last; and how much of the special grant of £750,000 is to be spent this year, and on what.

Mr. Braithwaite

As the answer is rather long and contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Grimond

Is the amount less or more? If it is less, may I draw the Minister's attention to the fact that there are unused resources of labour and equipment in the crofter counties which might well be used to public advantage on the roads?

Mr. Braithwaite

It is because of that consideration that I am circulating these figures. I think that if the hon. Gentleman studies them, he will find the answer to his Question.

Following is the answer: For the coming financial year, grants totalling £476,000 have been allocated from the Road Fund for the maintenance and minor improvement of classified roads in the seven crofter counties. I cannot yet say how this will be divided between the three classes of roads. This compares with a total for the current financial year of £522,066, which was divided as follows: £270,872 for Class I roads, £143,246 for Class II roads, £107,948 for Class III roads. For major improvements and new construction, grants totalling £17,181 were made in the current financial year, £14,422 for Class I roads, £2,400 for Class II roads and £359 for Class III roads. For the coming financial year, funds available for roads are so restricted that my right hon. Friend does not expect to be able to authorise any works of major improvement and new construction on classified roads in the crofter counties. None of the £750,000 is to be spent in 1953–54.
14. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Minister of Transport what road mileage is still outstanding for reconstruction in Inverness-shire under the crofting counties road scheme.

Mr. Braithwaite

184½ miles, Sir.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Is it not about time, in view of the unemployment in Scotland today, that the Minister got on with this job?

Mr. Braithwaite

I cannot add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. John MacLeod) last Monday.

16. Mr. Grimond

asked the Minister of Transport to give details of the reconstruction or new construction of roads in the crofter counties this year.

Mr. Braithwaite

My right hon. Friend has no funds available for any works of major improvement or new construction of roads in the crofter counties in the coming financial year.

16. Mr. Grimond

In view of the fact that without a great improvement on the roads in the North we cannot get the food that the country badly needs and that there is widespread unemployment, was not the Minister's a lamentable reply?

Mr. Braithwaite

The economic position of the country is also lamentable in some respects.

Mr. Woodburn

Will the hon. Gentleman look into the distinction between saving capital expenditure in the Highlands which throws people idle, instead of employing them, and saving capital expenditure in the southern part of the country, where they can be employed on alternative work? Will he confirm that it is an economy to employ people on the roads when the labour is available?

Mr. Braithwaite

The right hon. Gentleman's regret in this matter must surely be retrospective.

Mr. Woodburn

Not at all. They were in full employment before.