§ Sir W. PRESTONasked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that Government grants are only given towards the upkeep of minor roads in country districts provided such roads are tarred, and that such minor roads are the only roads on which farmers can move their produce, the main roads being so slippery that farm horses cannot use them, he will take the necessary steps for the maintenance of roads used by farmers?
§ Colonel ASHLEYMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. It is not a condition of grants from the Road Fund towards the upkeep of minor roads that they shall be tarred. A large proportion of the total length of about 60,000 miles of these "scheduled" roads in rural areas, now receiving grants at the rate of 25 per cent., is not tarred.