§ 38. Mr. Prenticeasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he is taking to assist local authorities to spend more money on the repair and maintenance of existing roads.
§ The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Harold Watkinson)I hope to be able to give greater help to highway authorities for this kind of work in the coming year.
§ Mr. PrenticeWill the Minister confirm that the total maintenance grants in the current year are less than they were last year? Has he seen the survey, in a booklet entitled "Stitch in Time" published by the British Road Federation, in which attention is directed to the serious situation resulting from lack of maintenance of the road network?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI do not disagree with what the hon. Member said about the current year and the past year. I said that I should be able to give greater help in the coming year.