§ Sir ARCHIBALD WILLIAMSONasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a meeting, attended by representatives of the county councils of thirteen counties in the North of Scotland, was held at Inverness, on 30th October, to consider the position of the Northern counties in view of the policy adopted by the Road Board; whether he is aware that the small assessable valuation of the Northern counties, and the greatly increased cost of maintaining roads owing to motor traffic, have brought about a large increase in the local rates; and whether he will advise the Road Board to consider the exceptional position of the Northern counties with a view to relaxing the conditions laid down with regard to Grants?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Road Board have been informed that a meeting of representatives of county councils in the North of Scotland was held at Inverness on the 30th October on the subject of the increased expenditure entailed upon road authorities by motor car traffic, and they have intimated their willingness to receive a deputation at an early date. The Board are aware of the assessable value of the Northern counties and of the increased cost of maintaining roads owing to motor traffic, especially roads which have not been well maintained in past years. Such increase in cost of maintenance is general, and is not confined to the Northern counties. The Board have no power to make Grants towards the increased cost of maintenance, and the advances that the Board have made to necessary improvements on roads in the North of Scotland has reduced the expenditure which would otherwise have fallen upon the rates. The Board have contributed the greater portion of the expenditure on improvements in those cases in which they have made Grants, but the principle that some portion of such expenditure should be borne by the highway authorities who are responsible for proposing and executing such improvements appears to be a sound one.