§ Major GLYNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that many local authorities are quite unable to maintain the road rates levied at their existing level, far less increase them; that in many parts of Scotland the roads, due to abnormal and frequent heavy traffic, which may or may not benefit the locality, are falling into such a state of disrepair that they soon will require to be re-made at a cost which cannot be met by either the local authorities or the Government through the funds of the Roads Department; and what action he proposes to take in this matter?
§ Mr. NEALI am aware that many highway authorities in Scotland are faced with a difficult position, for the reasons given in my hon. and gallant Friend's question. The Director-General of Roads has recently had interviews in Edinburgh with representatives of the highway authorities, who have placed the facts very fully before him. The question of the extent to which special assistance can be given out of the funds available to the more over-burdened authorities is under consideration.