§ 64. Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Transport whether he has had representations from highway authorities for an extra grant towards snow clearance on classified and unclassified roads; what inquiries he has made as to expenditure over and above the estimates for such work during the abnormal weather conditions; and whether he will make a statement.
§ 70 and 71. Mr. G. Robertsasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will state the additional expenditure incurred so far by various local authorities on works made necessary by the cold weather;
(2) what steps he has taken to inform local authorities of his readiness to consider applications by them for additional financial assistance to take account of their unusually heavy expenditure this winter on snow clearance; how many local authorities have applied for such assistance; and what is the extent and form of the assistance he proposes to make.
§ Mr. MarplesI am confident that highway authorities in county areas will have read the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Dr. King) on 29th January, and that they will make their case to me for any necessary additional maintenance grants when they are ready to do so. The maintenance of unclassified roads is solely the responsibility of the local highway authorities.