asked the Minister of Transport whether he will instruct the highway authorities applying the plan for highway development to detail in their reports the proportion of new roads against reconditioned roads?

I have no control over the information given in the annual reports issued by highway authorities on the maintenance and improvement of roads to which I assume the hon. Member refers. Up to 31st January, 1939, grants from the Road Fund were made in respect of the construction of approximately 268 miles of new roads included in approved schemes submitted by the authorities. Information as to the mileage of roads being reconditioned is not available, but the hon. Member will find useful information in the report on the Administration of the Road Fund for 1937–38.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the expenditure in England and Wales, to the last convenient date, of the highway development plan announced in 1935, and the percentage it bears to the estimated total, with similar details for Scotland?

Expenditure to the 31st January, 1939, in England and Wales under the five years' programme of highway improvement is estimated at £26,740,000, which represents about 30 per cent. of the estimated total cost of approved schemes. The corresponding figures for Scotland are £4,390,000 and 31 per cent.