§ Mr. HURDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the Frome Rural District Council has decided not to avail itself of the Ministry's grant of £5 towards the salary of its surveyor, on the ground that the conditions imposed would practically deprive the council of its control over its own officer; and whether some more practical and acceptable conditions can be suggested?
§ Colonel ASHLEYAn offer was made to the Frome Rural District Council of a contribution towards the salary of one of their surveyors, on the same conditions as have been accepted by hundreds of other highway authorities in the country. 2379W No such sum as £5 has at any time been mentioned in the correspondence. The clerk to the council replied on 8th March that his council were not prepared to enter into the necessary agreement having regard to the fact that my Department was not willing to contribute 50 per cent. of the total salaries of their two surveyors, towards which salaries, I believe, the county council already make a contribution of 75 per cent.