§ 11 and 12. Mr. Gibson-Wattasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what are the total cuts in 1968–69 road estimates in maintenance on Class I roads in the counties of Brecon, Radnor, Montgomery and Cardigan; and if he will make a statement,
(2) whether he has yet made an estimate of the total cuts in 1968–69 road estimates of maintenance on Class II, III and unclassified roads in the counties of Brecon, Radnor, Montgomery and Cardigan; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ifor DaviesAll the local highway authorities have been asked to reduce by 15 per cent. the total expenditure they would otherwise have incurred on the improvement, maintenance and lighting of non-principal roads. The allocation of reductions is a matter for the authorities themselves and the information asked for by the hon. Member is not, therefore, available.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattBut surely, concerning Question No. 11, on Class I roads this is far more a question for the Welsh Office than for the local authorities. Why cannot the Minister give me an answer?
Secondly, is not the running down of the maintenance on these types of roads bad economy, particularly at a time when more and more transport is carrying heavier and heavier loads?
§ Mr. Ifor DaviesIt is not possible to assess the amount of reduction which will be made by each individual authority on maintenance, which is the subject of the Question, because the 15 per cent. reduction which they have been asked to make is an overall figure and will be a matter for the local authorities to decide.