§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the finances available from central Government funds to local highway 85W authorities in Wales for the maintenance and improvement of second class and unclassified roads in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasExpenditure on the maintenance and improvement of non-principal classified and unclassified roads forms part of local authorities' relevant expenditure which attracts financial assistance from the central government via the rate support grants. In 1970–71 the central government will bear 57 per cent. of the total relevant expenditure of local authorities in England and Wales. This figure is being increased to 57½ per cent. for 1971–72 and 58 per cent. for 1972–73.
The formulae for distribution of the grant to the local authorities of England and Wales work in such a way that, on average in Wales, the proportion of relevant expenditure covered by grant is likely to be substantially higher, possibly of the order of 65 per cent. or more.