asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has received from the Kingsclere Rural District Council an appeal that the revenue raised by the taxation of mechanically-propelled vehicles should be adequate to cover the additional cost of road maintenance attributable to motor traffic; whether he will consider an increase of grants to road authorities accordingly; and whether the grants can be extended to all rural roads, whether classified or unclassified?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 24th April to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Dr. Chapple), of which I am sending him a copy.