§ Mr. FORRESTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that there are in the country a large number of bridges, particularly over canals and rivers, which are not adapted to the requirements of heavy motor commercial traffic; that such traffic is prohibited from crossing such bridges to the great general inconvenience of the public; whether the Ministry can take action or give any advice in regard to remodelling these structures to adapt them to modern requirements; and whether the Road Board has made any grants in aid and, if so, to what extent towards such structural reconstruction?
§ Mr. NEALThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. Assistance is being given from the Road Fund, as far as moneys are available, towards the reconstruction of such bridges. I may point out that it was not till the passing of the Roads Act, 1920, that power was conferred on the Minister of Transport to make advances, in conjunction with a highway authority, in respect of the reconstruction of bridges maintainable by canal or railway companies. Grants to a total of£215,850 have been allocated during the current financial year towards the maintenance, repair, widening, and reconstruction of bridges in Great Britain.