§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Transport if he will state the comparative cost of highway repairs and highway building undertaken by local authorities in the years 1939, 1951, and 1959; and if he will give such comparisons in terms of uniform prices.
§ Mr. MarplesExpenditure on highway works undertaken by local authorities in Great Britain, including work on trunk roads, is set out below. The purchasing power of the £ in 1950 was 49 per cent. and in 1958 36 per cent. of that in 1938.168W I have no available means of comparing over this period the cost of the many different types of work involved in building and repairing highways.
£ millions — 1938–39 1950–51 1958–59 Maintenance, repair and minor improve-ment Charged against local funds* 21.70 30.23 47.47 Payable from Govern-ment funds 10.62 19.91 33.35 Total 32.41 50.14 80.82 Major improvement and new construction Charged against local funds* 8.73 2.58 10.24 Payable from Govern-ment funds 9.37 3.90 31.17 Total 18.10 6.48 41.41 * Including expenditure from loans.