§ 63. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that at 11.30 on Thursday morning, 27th July, the electric light was full on in all the large working rooms and passages of No. 19, Berkeley Street, lately taken over by the Government for the use of the Petrol Committee; whether he is aware that this expenditure of light was going on daily throughout war savings week, and will he state why this waste is permitted in a Government Department specially created to economise?
Mr. HARCOURTAs some of the rooms and passages of the Committee are not very well lighted, it is necessary, on a dull day, to use artificial light if the staff are to carry out their duties efficiently. Every precaution is taken to prevent the waste of artificial light.
§ colonel LOCKWOODDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that yesterday was a dull day?
§ Colonel LOCKWOODI saw it myself yesterday.
Mr. HARCOURTI understood there was a general desire that the Petrol Committee should have as much enlightenment as possible.
§ Mr. ASHLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it conducive to economy to take a large building where, as he says, it is necessary to have the electric light on during the day?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that not only on one day, but on every day of last week, the electric light was burning up till 11.30 and 12 o'clock'! I myself went into the house and saw the electric light burning, not in one or two rooms, but in every room— every large room.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEEvery large room!
§ Sir A. MARKHAMWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that this waste is stopped?
Mr. HARCOURTYes, Sir. I have already taken steps to see that no light is kept burning unnecessarily anywhere.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMWhy did not you say so?
§ Mr. G FABERWhen did the right hon. Gentleman know of the matter?
Mr. HARCOURTDirectly I saw the question on the Paper. I then took the steps of which I have spoken.