§ Mr. Will Owenasked the Minister of Transport what financial help for road development is available to the Northumberland County Council during the years 1967–68, and 1968–69, and what proportion of such funds is allocated to the area of South-East Northumberland, and the Ashington, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Urban District Council.
Mr. Bob BrownThe information is as follows: —
Ministry funds committed in 1967–68 Ministry funds committed or expected to be committed in 1968–69 £'000 £'000 Northumberland County Council: (a) Trunk Roads 6,389 696 (b) Principal road improvement grants 2,755 5,615 (c) Local Employment Act grants 5 31 (d) 100 per cent, grants under special winter programme 1,600 * South-East Northumberland: (a) Principal road improvement grants 2,520 5,310 (b) 100 per cent, grants under special winter programme 395 * Ashington U.D.C.: (a) Principal road improvement grants 6 17 (b) 100 per cent, grants under special winter programme 88 * New biggin-by-the-Sea U.D.C.: 100 per cent, grants under special winter programme 14 * * Allocation not yet determined.
§ Mr. Will Owenasked the Minister of Transport if he will examine urgently the need for financial help to enable the Ashington Urban District Council to proceed with its road development problem, in view of the prevalence of 10 per cent. unemployed in the area.
Mr. Bob BrownConsideration is being given to the possible allocation to302W the Ashington Urban District Council of part of the sum authorised by the Government on road works to create additional employment during the winter months in the Northern Development Area.