HC Deb 19 July 1933 vol 280 cc1817-8W
Mr. HARCOURT JOHNSTONE

asked the Minister of Transport (1) the amount contributed from the Exchequer each year since 1918 towards the expenses of main road construction;

(2) the total mileage of main roads constructed in Great Britain with assistance from the Treasury since 1st January, 1919; the total acreage of land purchased for this purpose and the cost thereof, distinguishing purchases which included buildings from those representing land only, and the average cost per acre in each case; the total acreage of such land which has since been disposed of by sale or lease, and the average price or ground rent per acre obtained therefore and any information in his possession showing the value per acre at the present time of land immediately adjoining such roads;

(3) the total cost of construction, and the average cost per mile, of main roads constructed with Treasury assistance since 1st January, 1919, distinguishing those constructed before 1st December, 1922, those constructed between 31st December, 1922, and 31st December, 1928, and those constructed since 31st December, 1928, and distinguishing in each case sums paid in wages to men directly employed in the work from other items of expense?

Mr. STANLEY

I would refer the hon. Member to Appendix 15 to the Reports on the Administration of the Road Fund for the years 1927–28 to 1930–31. I regret that I am unable to supplement the information contained in the appendix or to give the information for other years. The appendix was compiled from reports first furnished in the year 1927–28. For reasons of economy, the reports were discontinued after 1930–31.