asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increase of traffic on unclassified roads repairable by district councils, he will extend the principle of contributions hitherto limited to classified roads by making grants out of the Road Fund?

Without admitting that the principle governing the distribution of grants towards the ordinary maintenance and improvement of Class I and Class II roads can be extended to unclassified roads, I am considering whether additional assistance can be given from the Road Fund towards the expenditure on unclassified roads, supplementing the grants already made.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it essential that the local authorities should get some assistance for unclassified roads, especially when Class I and Class II roads are so much under repair, causing the traffic to-run on unclassified roads?

As I have already-said, I am considering that, and have been for some weeks.

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether the time has arrived when third-class loads should be scheduled, so that a regular grant may be made for them?

That is one proposal, but I think that what the local authorities really want is something to deal with their present unclassified roads, and that they do not much mind in what form it comes.

Dors not this problem in reference to unclassified roads largely arise because there are no Class III roads?