asked the Minister of Labour the estimated number of men employed on works of improvement and new construction on classified roads and bridges, excluding those on work of maintenance, repair and reconstruction?

The number is approximately 21,500.

Does that mean that this 21,000, who are employed under the Road Fund, which was not started by the present Government, must be deducted from the total of 72,000 who are said to be directly employed under Government schemes?

Yes, that is so.