Mr. McLARENasked the Prime Minister whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken by the Cabinet to prevent the extension road-making programme from being exploited by and in the interests of landlords whose land appreciates owing to the construction of such roads?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYI have been asked to answer the question. All steps possible under existing enactments have been taken to prevent these works of public utility conferring undue benefit on adjoining landowners. As the hon. Member is aware, extensive use has been made, both by local authorities and by the Ministry of Transport, of the powers conferred by the Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1920, under which Act regard may be had in certain cases, in the assessment of compensation, to the benefit conferred upon contiguous lands by the construction of the roads.
§ Mr. D. SOMERVILLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, the total assistance from the
Road Fund. Exchequer. Local Authorities Total. £ £ £ £ 1920–21 Programme … 2,790,400 1,065,800 3,205,200 7,061,400 1921–22 … 2,945,000 563,000 2,255,000 5,763,000 1922–23 … 3,816,765 — 3,816,765 7,633,530 The figures given above do not include the assistance to road works, provided from the funds at the disposal of the Unemployment Grants Committee.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport how many road schemes for the assistance of the unemployed have as yet been authorised; and in which cases have any steps been taken to obtain the increased land values along the roads for the public?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYSince the beginning of the winter of 1920–21 approximately 900 road schemes have been authorised to be put in hand for the relief
714WRoad Fund towards schemes for the relief of distress this winter; and how much available money still remains for distribution on these lines?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYA sum of £5,350,000 has already been earmarked from the resources of the Road Fund towards the initiation this winter of new schemes which are estimated to cost in the aggregate £10,700,000. This programme has involved, not only the full commitment of existing funds, but a very substantial anticipation of future revenues.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what is the total sum spent, or authorised to be spent, for the construction of roads in connection with the relief of unemployment up to 1st November, including the amounts spent, or to be spent, by the local authority, as well as the sums advanced from the Exchequer?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYThe sums authorised to be spent under the existing Unemployment (Road Fund) programmes are shown in the table which follows. It should be explained that the expenditure on the part of local authorities on these schemes can only be estimated very roughly:
of unemployment with assistance from the Road Fund. As regards the second part of the hon. Member's question I would refer him to the answer which I have given to the hon. Member for the Burslem Division (No. 49).
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, with reference to the proposed road between Liverpool and Manchester, what is the estimated cost of the land, of the labour, of the materials, and other charges: what is the length of the road; and what steps are proposed to recover for the community the increased value of the land along the road?
715W
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYA rough estimate of the total cost of the proposed road, which will be nearly 27 miles in length, is £3,065,000, of which £218,000 is the estimated cost of the land. Between 50 and 60 per cent, of the total cost may be taken as representing wages paid directly to men on the work, apart from the labour engaged indirectly in the supply of materials. Should it be decided to construct the road it will probably be necessary to make use of the powers conferred by the Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1920, under which Act regard may be had in certain cases in the assessment of compensation to the benefit conferred upon contiguous lands by the construction of the road.