§ 6. Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales what sums the central Government spent on roads in Wales in 1966–67, 1967–68, and 1968–69.
§ Mr. George ThomasI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 28th April, 1969. Actual expenditure in 1968–69 was £14.8 million. In addition local authorities carried out a further £16.4 million worth of work which was in part financed by the central Government through the rate support grant.—[Vol. 782, c. 188.]
§ Mr. EvansWhy are the Government cutting down so greatly on expenditure on roads in Wales but not on similar expenditure in England? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the construction of major highways is the key to industrial and economic development, and that the failure of the Government in this matter is a major contribution to the fact that there are 51,000 fewer men in work in Wales today than was the 926 situation when Labour came to power in 1964?
§ Mr. ThomasThe hon. Member is a master at twisting the facts. He knows that the figure I have given is not a decrease but an increase. Expenditure on roads in Wales is running at an all-time record. There are over £100 million worth of road schemes in our preparation pool.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattBut, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, the work in the preparation pool will probably be carried out by the next Government, which may not be his. Would the Minister tell the Welsh local authorities when he will revoke the Government's decision to cut down on road maintenance which is a matter of great importance to the county councils?
§ Mr. ThomasThe carrying out of all road schemes is a long business, and we shall be continuing this work in the next Parliament as we have in the past. On the question of road maintenance, the hon. Gentleman will know that work under this head is covered in the rate support grant for local authorities. I am not ashamed of the programme which we have put forward.