§ 59. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what applications he has received for authority for more private street works in North Staffordshire, in view of the dangerous condition of many private streets and roads which are in practice used as public highways; and if he will consult with the local authorities concerned on the financial and economic problems involved.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. W. F. Deedes)Local authorities do not need to apply to my right hon. Friend for authority to undertake private street works unless they require loan sanction. If the local authorities concerned will tell him what problems they have in mind, he will be glad to consider any way in which he can help them.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the problem they have in mind is the obsolete nature of present legislation on private streets? Is he aware that 1329 these private street works are still governed by an Act of 1892, which effectively prevents any public contribution towards them, as a result of which many wage-earning constituents of mine are confronted today with bills ranging from £100 to £200 for their share of making up streets which are the terrible legacies from private estates in the past? Will he consult the local authority associations, as many local authorities are faced with this problem, as to whether the time has not now come to amend or repeal the 1892 Act and to proceed towards public ownership and control of these streets and roads?
§ Mr. DeedesI think the hon. Gentleman knows that the cost is borne, as it always has been, by the frontagers, but local authorities have discretion to make grants. We are quite willing to discuss this problem with the local authority associations if they desire to raise it.