§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total contribution by central Government funds to the construction and improvement of roads in Scotland during the years 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966; what are the estimated figures for 1967 and 1968; and what are the comparable statistics for England and Wales.
§ Mr. RossThe information is available only for financial years and there are no separate statistics for Wales before 1965–66. The following is the information available:
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON NEW CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS £ million Year Scotland England and Wales 1962–63 14.2 87 1963–64 15.5 108.4 1964–65 17 127.4 Scotland England Wales 1965–66 21.3 114 10.5 1966–67 (estimated out-turn) 24.3 136 13 1967–68 (Roads Estimates) 26.9 196 9 Note: The Scottish figures include Government expenditure on the improvement of unclassified roads under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897 and the Agriculture (Improvement of Roads) Act, 1955.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the expenditure on the Roads (Scotland) Vote from 1963–64 to 1966–67, inclusive; and what estimate he made for 1967–68 on the basis of the same financial arrangements for Exchequer support of roads expenditure.
§ Mr. RossNet expenditure was as follows:
£ million 1963–64 22.69 1964–65 24.146 1965–66 28.792 1966–67 32.1 (estimated outturn) Had the estimate for 1967–68 been for the purposes covered by the Vote in previous years it would have been approximately £34.5 million: of this total £31.102 million is included in the Roads 348W (Scotland) Estimate, and Rate Support Grant will account for the remaining £3.4 million.