§ 38. and 39. Sir Clive Bossomasked the Minister of Transport (1) how many counties have now provided lavatory 1405 facilities on trunk roads; and how many counties are planning new lavatory facilities in 1966;
(2) what estimate he has made of the approximate cost of providing a lavatory on a trunk road, and of its approximate running costs.
§ Mr. SwinglerThese facilities have been provided in Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Somerset. The local authorities in seven other counties are now planning to provide them. The capital cost depends upon the size and type of lavatory provided, and the availability of services to the site. It could range from about £1,500 to £5,000 or more. Running costs would also vary according to the circumstances.
§ Sir Clive BossomDoes the Minister not agree that the present number of conveniences is far from adequate? What has happened to the promises made in this House in February and in the Adjournment debate on 29th April? Is he aware that if the Government gave a grant now of 75 per cent. these conveniences could be ready by early summer of next year?
§ Mr. SwinglerThis is the progress which has been made, according to the schemes put forward by the local authorities under the pilot scheme. We have not yet spent all the money; we hope that by next summer we will have spent the £50,000 that was promised in the pilot scheme. After that we shall review the future financing of the scheme, as we have promised.