asked the Minister of Transport what was the cost during the last financial year to the Road Fund of the maintenance of classified roads: and what was the cost to the same fund clueing the same period of the improvement and maintenance of rural and other unclassified roads

The payments from the Road Fund during the last financial year in respect of the maintenance of classified roads amounted to £10,041,132, and in respect of the maintenance of unclassified roads in rural areas to £1,810,070. I am unable to state separately the amount paid in respect of schemes for the improvement of unclassified roads.