§ 36. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why local authorities are called upon to bear half the cost of the traffic census which is to be taken in August; and, as this is a national question, if he will also make it a national charge.
§ Mr. MolsonOn trunk roads the whole cost of the census is being met from the Road Fund. My right hon. Friend has no power to contribute more than half the cost of the census on Class I roads, and I think that it is reasonable that the responsible highway authorities should contribute to the cost on such roads.
§ Mr. AwberyDoes not the Minister think that, as all the advantages accruing from this census will be of a national character, the charge should be borne nationally? Could he not meet from the Road Fund the charges in the cities as well as those of the trunk roads?
§ Mr. MolsonNo, Sir, that is not the case. A great deal of information will be obtained, from this census which will be at least as useful to local highway authorities as to the Ministry of Transport.