Mr. W. A. JENKINSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if, in view of the heavy burden now resting on local authorities in respect of the maintenance and upkeep of byroads largely used for motor transport, he will take steps to introduce legislation to provide grants towards the cost of upkeep of such roads on the lines of grants now made for classified roads?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24th April to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Dr. Chapple), of which I am sending him a copy. The resources of the Road Fund are limited, and provision for any substantial extension in the scale or scope of the grants could only be made by an increase in taxation.