Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the original estimate of £10,000,000 per annum available for Road Fund grants has been expended each year since the fund was originated; and, if not, what amounts have been spent each year by the Road Board, and how much it is estimated will have been spent during the year ending 31st March next?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYI am not familiar with the estimate of £10,000,000 to which the hon. Member refers. The actual payments from the Road Fund under grants and loans to highway authorities during the financial year 1921–22 amounted to £9,600,000. It is estimated that the corresponding figure for the year 1922–23 will be approximately £15,600,000.