§ Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Transport by what percentage the local transport current and capital expenditure on roads authorised during the current year is less in real terms than the expenditure authorised during the previous year; and what are the reasons for the reduction.
§ Mrs. Chalker:Local highway authorities are responsible for the amount of resources, capital and current, allocated to roads from within the total available to them. In the TSG settlement for 1982–83, the current expenditure accepted for highways maintenance was 16 per cent. more in cash terms than in the previous year's settlement. The total transport capital block was 6 per cent. more. It will not be possible to assess the change in real terms until the final outturn for inflation in 1982–83 is known.