§ 21. Mr. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total grant allocated to Ayr County Council in respect of roads under its control for 1956–57; and that to be allocated for 1957–58.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe total grant to Ayr County Council authorised for work on classified roads in 1956–57 was £155,000. On present information the grant for 1957–58 will be about £184,000; but the amount finally allocated will depend on the progress which the county council can make with the preparation of individual schemes of major improvement.
§ Mr. RossIs the Minister aware that the county council and those concerned with this problem have been worried for a long time about the inadequacy of the grants, that the standard of maintenance of the Ayrshire roads, traditionally high, is very much worse than it was before the war, and that it is due entirely to the inadequacy of the grants allocated yearly by the Government?
§ Mr. MacphersonSo far as 1957–58 is concerned, the full amount for maintenance and minor improvements applied for is being given.