asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he is prepared to reimburse Berwickshire County Council for the cost of resurfacing stretches of the A697 and A698 roads north of Coldstream damaged by the extra heavy abnormal indivisible loads directed over them.

I am prepared to meet the whole cost of any works required specifically in respect of this road's use as a heavy load route. The county council's proposals to renew two culverts come within this category, but I cannot agree that the need to resurface stretches of the road is unusual or that it can be ascribed solely to the abnormal indivisible loads which use the road.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but will he bear in mind that it really is an intolerable imposition on a local authority with a small rateable value to have to maintain roads at the degree of strength necessary to bear these extra heavy loads which, naturally would never come on to them at all?

My hon. and gallant Friend will agree, I am sure, that this is a very complex subject. I am glad that I have been able to go a certain distance.