§ Mr. P. OLIVERasked the Minister of Transport whether he has noted the heavier usage of traffic on other than classified roads; and if he will consider the question of the Government percentage of contribution to local authorities in respect of unclasified roads?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONI am aware that the increase in traffic is not confined to classified roads. The grants now made towards the maintenance of unclassified roads in rural areas will be merged, as from the 1st April next, in the general Exchequer contribution to be made to county councils under the Local Government Act, 1929. Grants at the rate of 50 per cent. are also being made in approved cases towards the improvement of unclassified roads both in rural and urban districts, and for the current financial year the allocation of moneys from the Road Fund for such grants is £1,300,000. I do not think that there is sufficient justification at the1542W present time for increasing the percentage of grant to improvements on unclassified roads.