HC Deb 01 June 1916 vol 82 cc2908-9
78. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consult with the Commissioners of Police responsible for the carrying out of the Lighting Regulations in the Metropolitan area with a view to making those Regulations more stringent than is now the case?

Mr. SAMUEL

The working of the Lighting Regulations is kept under careful observation, and I am advised by the Commissioner that the police already possess under the existing Regulations all the powers they require.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is it not possible to make the Regulations wider in order to give them greater power?

Mr. SAMUEL

I am advised they have full power to take any action which may be necessary. If the hon. Member thinks that the administration of those powers is not stringent enough, perhaps he will communicate with me in what particular instance.

79. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the comments made by Mr. Wilberforce at the Old Street Police Court as to the reluctance on the part of policemen in calling attention to unscreened lights; is he aware that the same reluctance is apparently felt at the West as well as the East End of London; and can he do anything which will make it certain that the Regulations with regard to unscreened lights are more strictly carried out than is the case at the present time?

Mr. SAMUEL

The comment made by the learned magistrate was directed to the apparent reluctance on the part of police officers to force an entry into unoccupied premises in order to extinguish forgotten lights. In the case in question the breach of the Order was not considered serious enough to justify the use of the powers the police have to force an entry to extinguish lights, but where such action is called for the police would not hesitate to exercise their powers.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Does the right hon. Gentleman wish the House to infer that there is no reluctance in the West End, on the part of the police, to ring bells and ask people to put out the lights?

Mr. SAMUEL

No reluctance at all.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

There is a great deal of it.