HC Deb 27 January 1981 vol 997 c398W
Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the resources allocated to road construction by local authorities; and what steps he is taking to improve the available resorces.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We would like to be able to make more resources available for local road construction but the amount that can be allocated is limited by the need to contain public expenditure. Allocations within the total available for local transport are a matter for the local authorities. However, the transport supplementary grant settlement for 1981–82 reflects the Government's wish that local authority capital programmes should be maintained as far as possible.