§ 44. Mr. P. Wellsasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what is the estimated sum to be expended on the maintenance and construction of roads in the County of Kent for the financial year 1957–58: and how this compares with the financial year 1956–57.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Airey Neave)Expenditure on the maintenance of trunk roads and of those classified roads to which we contribute is estimated at approximately £1,466,000 for 1957–58. The corresponding figure for 1956–57 was £1,500,000. Major improvements may take several years to complete, and it is difficult to quote annual expenditures, but we hope to commit new schemes on trunk and 197 classified roads in 1957–58 to a total of £3,220,000. The estimated cost of similar schemes committed in 1956–57 was £385,129.
§ Mr. WellsWhilst that slight increase is very welcome, it is still insufficient to do necessary maintenace work and has resulted in a number of roadmen being discharged or down-graded. Does the hon. Gentleman think that that policy will pay in the end?
§ Mr. NeaveI shall certainly bear in mind what the hon. Member has said, but these maintenance figures were submitted by the county council which, it is understood, could not accept grant at any higher estimate