§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Transport how the maintenance spending on local roads has varied in each year in real terms since 1973.
§ Mrs. ChalkerFigures for spending on local road maintenance—including lighting—in England in £ million at November 1979 prices are as follows:
£ million 1973–74 660 1974–75 638 1975–76 623 1976–77 576 1977–78 554 1978–79 593 1979–80 578 1980–81 566 Figures for 1981–82 are not yet available.
Prior to 1978–79, the figures include an element for purchases of plant and machinery. This has been excluded in later years. The exact annual amounts are not known, but about £12 million can be deducted from years prior to 1978–79 for comparative purposes.