§ Mr. BoyesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the expected increase in real terms to be allocated for road maintenance in the northern region.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe have increased the 1988–89 allocation for the maintenance of motorways and trunk roads in the northern region by 3.2 per cent. in real terms compared with the initial allocation for 1987–88. We are maintaining provision for local road maintenance in England at £1,264 million for 1988–89. This represents an increase of 8.4 per cent. in real terms on what local authorities have budgeted to spend in 1987–88. This provision is not broken down by region.