§ Mr. MOLSONasked the Minister of Transport what is the total sum borrowed by local authorities for new road construction and improvement, or re-construction of existing roads, since the Road Fund was reconstituted in 1920?
§ Mr. PYBUSInformation is not available as to the sums borrowed by local authorities for the specific purposes mentioned, but the total sums borrowed by local authorities to meet capital expenditure on highways during the years 1920–21 to 1929–30 inclusive were as follow:
£ England and Wales … 83,297,677 Scotland … 8,404,193 Total … 91,701,870
Major McLEANasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, since August, 1931, sanction has been given by the 1299W Ministry to the widening of any roads from the 10-foot standard to the 20-foot standard; and, if so, what is the mileage thereof;
(2) whether, since August, 1931, sanction has been given by the Ministry to the widening of any roads from the 20-foot standard to the 30-foot standard; and, if so, what is the mileage thereof;
(3) whether, since August, 1931, sanction has been given by the Ministry to any schemes for the construction of arterial roads, widening of existing roads, by-passes, bridging of level crossings, and other similar schemes; and, if so, what is the estimated cost of such schemes?
§ Mr. PYBUSNo new schemes for the construction of arterial roads, by-passes or the bridging of level crossings have been approved for grant since August, 1931. A certain number of widening works and similar schemes have been approved since that date winch involve an estimated total expenditure of £300,000. In the case of each scheme there were circumstances constituting an emergency which demanded that the work should be put in hand forthwith, and the road or bridge affected was of substantial importance to through traffic.