§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what special expertise in grass cutting his Department can command that is not available to local authorities; and how many circulars have been issued on this subject.
§ Mr. Horam:The Department has its own horticultural adviser to help devise the best treatment for verges of trunk roads which are maintained for us by 829W agent authorities. Since 1965, four circulars on grass cutting of which one remains in force have been issued to such authorities. All local authorities are of course free to draw on the Department's expertise.