§ Major GLYNasked the Minister of Transport what relief local ratepayers can obtain to provide the extra funds required to keep roads in moorland or bog areas in condition to withstand the abnormal traffic by heavy motor vehicles that destroy the roads and contribute nothing to the local cost of their maintenance; and whether, in view of the rapid deterioration of the roads, he will consider some scheme whereby those companies that make money out of road-borne traffic shall contribute more largely to their upkeep?
§ Sir E. GEDDESAs has already been announced, grants of 50 per cent and 25 per cent. of the cost of maintenance and improvement of roads included in Class I and Class II respectively will be made from the Road Fund. A limited sum will also be available for grants towards the maintenance and improvement of other roads. In these latter cases, each application will be considered on its merits, after taking into account the nature and extent of the traffic upon the road and any other special circumstances. The consideration set out in the last part of the question is in fact one of the underlying principles of the new scheme of motor taxation, which was introduced in the Finance Act, 1920, and which has been in force since the 1st January last.