HC Deb 23 February 1926 vol 192 cc323-4W
Sir W. de FRECE

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in respect of the allocation of the Road Board funds for road maintenance, he has received any suggestion that this sum is employed in some cases for the maintenance and repair of roads which are not vital to essential traffic; and, if so, whether he has made any inquiries on the subject?

Colonel ASHLEY

I cannot recall having received suggestions of this nature.

Brigadier-General CHARTERIS

asked the Minister of Transport what is the total amount of financial assistance given from the Road Fund to unclassified roads in rural areas in Scotland; under what heads this assistance is given; and whether the sum given to Scotland for unclassified roads in rural areas bears a higher or lower proportion per mile of unclassified road to the total grant now to be made to England and Wales?

Colonel ASHLEY

The amount of financial assistance so far given and indicated during the present financial year to the improvement, or the maintenance in improved materials, of unclassified roads in rural areas is as follows:

England and Wale … £486,795
Scotland … 59,791
The amount per mile of unclassified roads in Scotland is slightly lower than the figure for England and Wales, but as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, rural authorities in Scotland obtain exceptional assistance in connection with their Class I and Class II roads.

Mr. MACLEAN

asked the Minister of Transport the amount granted to Scotland during 1925 for classified roads and selected unclassified roads respectively; whether any grant will be made during 1926, and the amount of grant for these roads respectively; and what proportion the grant bears to similar grants for England and Wales?

Colonel ASHLEY

The grants so far made and indicated during the financial year 1925–26 on account of works, other than those specially expedited for the relief of unemployment, are as follow:

Classified Roads Unclassified Roads
England and Wales £9,410,267 £636,677
Scotland £1,660,095 £68,389
£11,070,362 £705,066

These figures show that the proportions are 85.3 per cent. for England and Wales and 14.7 per cent. for Scotland. I am not at present in a position to give any information as to the amounts which will be available for Scotland during 1926–27.