§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he now has to improve funds available to counties such as Suffolk where there are accumulated maintenance arrears resulting from successive cuts in road funds since 1974, particularly in the light of additional maintenance needs arising from recent severe weather conditions.
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§ Mr. HoramMy right hon. Friend has no proposal to increase the level of expenditure accepted for the 1979–80 TSG settlement which almost entirely met the counties' bids in their TPPs.
As far as any additional cost to local authorities of urgent remedial works due to the recent severe weather conditions is concerned, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of the Environment announced to the House on Monday 19 February—[Vol. 963, c. 28.]—the Government's intention to pay 75 per cent. of all relevant additional expenditure over and above the sum raised by a 1p rate in their respective areas where we are satisfied that it arises from this emergency.