35. Captain Arthur Evansasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, the approximate nightly cost of flood-lighting public buildings during the Coronation period; and whether he will consider the desirability of causing permanent equipment to be installed so that the spectacle can be repeated on all suitable occasions and at week-ends throughout the summer-time period?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. R. S. Hudson) (for the First Commissioner of Works)Through the generous action of the gas and electrical supply companies in providing the bulk of the current free, the approximate nightly cost, excluding capital expenditure and hire charges, of flood-lighting public buildings during the Coronation week was quite a nominal sum for the current and maintenance. Owing, however, to the very heavy cost which would be involved in the purchase of the equipment and in providing the wiring on a permanent basis, my Noble Friend does not consider that the installation of a permanent system could be justified at the present time.