asked the Minister of Transport what is the amount of the cut in the Exchequer grant towards the maintenance of roads in the area of the Lindsey County Council; and what percentage of the original proposed grant this represents.

The grant will be less by about £10,000, or 4 per cent., than if the estimates of the county council had been accepted in full.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that this grant will be paid back to the county council?

Not paid back—but consultations are taking place between my divisional road engineer and the county surveyor; I cannot say whether it will lead to any modification in this case.