§ Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that highway authorities now possess, under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, compulsory powers to purchase at fair prices any toll roads or bridges remaining in their areas, he will consider the desirability of arranging for a loan to be raised in order to provide sufficient funds for the purchase of all remaining toll roads and bridges, the said loan to be liquidated out of the revenue therefrom, plus an annual grant from the Road Fund, and the roads and bridges freed so soon as the liquidation is completed?
Mr. STANLEYAs I informed my hon. Friend last week, I am prepared to give consideration to applications from highway authorities for grants from the Road Fund for the acquisition of toll roads and bridges. It is open to authorities to seek sanction to borrow the balance of the cost 1823W and Sub-section 2 (b) of Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, empowers me to allow a council to continue to take tolls for a limited period.