HC Deb 26 March 1970 vol 798 cc509-10W
Mr. Gwynfor Evans

asked the Minister of Transport what was the proportional increase in total public expenditure on roads in England between 1964 and 1969; and what was the proportional increase in the central and local government expenditure, respectively.

Mr. Bob Brown:

The percentage increases between 1963–64 and 1968–69 were as follows of which:

Total expenditure on roads and road lighting From central funds From local authority funds
64 58 72

It should be noted that the second and third figures shown are affected by the replacement, in April, 1967, of certain specific grants to highway authorities by the non-specific rate support grant.

Mr. Gwynfor Evans

asked the Minister of Transport what were the central Government expenditures in England on road lighting, road maintenance, road improvements, and new roads, respectively for each of the five years 1964–65 to 1968–69, and the estimated expenditures in 1969–70.

Mr. Bob Brown

Following is the information:

New construction and major improvement Maintenance and minor improvement Road Lighting
(1) (2) (3)
1964–65 121.1 45.4 0.5
1965–66 116.4 48.2 0.4
1966–67 134.7 52.4 0.7
New construction and improvement Maintenance Road Lighting
1967–68 197.3 16.4 0.9
1968–69 210.6 14.8 1.2
1969–70 261.0 14.0 1.8
(estimated)

NOTES:

1. There is a break in the series after 1966–67.

  1. (a) the figures take no account of the nonspecific rate support grant introduced from 1st April, 1967 which replaced certain specific grants for works on local authority roads.
  2. (b) the former distinction between major and minor improvements was discontinued.

2. It is not possible to provide a separate series of figures for expenditure on new roads.

3. Column 2 includes expenditure on cleansing, watering and snow-clearing.

Mr. Gwynfor Evans

asked the Minister of Transport what were the total expenditures in England on road lighting road maintenance, road improvements, and new roads, respectively, for each of the five years 1964–65 to 1968–69, and the estimated expenditures in 1969–70.

Mr. Bob Brown

Following is the information for past years. Figures for actual expenditure in 1969–70 will not be available until later this year.

£ million
New construction and major improvement Maintenance and major improvement Road lighting
(1) (2) (3)
1964–65 151.0 120.8 19.8
1965–66 148.3 129.8 20.9
1966–67 164.9 136.3 21.2
New construction and improvement Maintenance Road lighting
1967–68 252.7 131.5 20.9
1968–69 275.6 131.0 20.6
1969–70 326.2 122.7 24.2
(estimated)

NOTES:

1. With the introduction in April, 1967 of the new system of grants the former distinction between major and minor improvements was discontinued.

2. It is not possible to provide a separate series of figures for expenditure on new roads.

3. Column 2 includes expenditure on cleansing, watering and snow-clearing.

4. The figures for road lighting are derived from returns by highway authorities and exclude expenditure by other local authorities.