§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, owing to the bad road surfaces in Birmingham, the City Transport Committee has recently been faced with greatly increased expenditure upon the repair of damaged vehicles; that the average weekly casualties include 70 broken springs, 36 loosened radiators, 4 broken chassis and 20 wheel repairs; and whether he intends to insist upon the recent proposals that the Birmingham road maintenance staff of 1,348 should be cut by 271.
§ Mr. A. BarnesYes; but I cannot accept the suggestion that the increase in damage is entirely due to the state of the roads. In response to my request that roadmen should be released to make more labour available for the export and import-saving industries, the Birmingham Corporation have reduced their road maintenance staff by 255, and I do not propose to press for a further reduction.