§ Mr. GALBRAITHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what surplus now exists in the Road Fund which would be available, if considered desirable, for making grants in relief of rates in rural areas towards the maintenance of unclassified roads; and what is the estimated "surplus for the current year which could be utilised for the same purpose?
§ Colonel ASHLEYAs I stated on 27th February, in the Debate on the Motion by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South East Essex (Lieut.-Colonel Hider), a Sub-Committee of the Cabinet has been appointed to consider what assistance can be given to rural areas, and I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what would be the cost to the Exchequer if all rural roads at present classified first class were given a grant of 75 per cent. instead of 50 per cent.; if all roads now classified second class were given a grant of 50 per cent. instead of 25 per cent.; and if all unclassified roads, now administered by county and rural district councils, were given a grant of 25 per cent.?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI assume that the first and second parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question refer to1308W Class I and Class II roads maintained by rural district councils. On this assumption, the increased grants suggested in his question would raise the contribution from the Road Fund towards the maintenance of these roads from £209,680 to £314,520 in the first case, and from £210,630 to £421,260 in the second. As regards the third part of the question, I have no information on which to base a reply.