asked the Minister of Transport if he is in a position to give an approximate estimate as to the proportion of each £1,000,000 sterling spent on road construction which is paid in wages and the proportion spent on materials?

Expenditure on wages depends so largely upon the type and situation of the work that generalisations are apt to be misleading. As a rough approximation, a figure of between 30 and something under 40 per cent. may be assumed for cost of labour on works of road construction, and a rather higher percentage for expenditure on materials. Much of the latter item of expenditure represents wages, but I have not sufficient data to enable me to form an estimate of the proportion.

Is it not a fact that Sir Henry Maybury has on more than one occasion stated that every million pounds spent on road construction meant employment for 5,000 men one way or another?

Of course, I cannot say exactly what Sir Henry Maybury stated, but I should doubt that. I think the figure would be much more like 4,000, direct and indirect.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Sir Henry Maybury told me personally that the approximate number is 5,000?

I have no knowledge of the personal conversations of the hon. Member.

Mr. ERSKINE:

Is it not a fact that the ratepayers would have to keep up these roads when they were made?