§ 46. Mr. Jannerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that it is officially estimated that in eight years time there will be more than 11 million motor vehicles on the English roads; and 1509 in view of the large amount of revenue contributed by the motor fuel duties, whether he will now make preliminary arrangements to finance a large-scale loan to improve the roads.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerNo, Sir. I do not think that such arrangements are necessary in present circumstances.
§ Mr. JannerPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman would be good enough to suggest to his successor on this side of the House what ideas he has about helping with regard to the roads, in view of the large revenue resulting from the motor fuel duties?
§ Mr. ButlerI think that my right hon. Friend the present Minister of Supply, who was then Economic Secretary, in his speech on 7th December last, indicated that we could quite well carry this burden on the Budget for the time being, and then, if the burden increased, we might well have to adopt other devices. The hon. Member's suggestion is a reasonable one. However, I do not think it is necessary in present circumstances.