HC Deb 10 April 1940 vol 359 cc574-5
69. Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that parts of the East Lancashire road, Liverpool to Manchester, are being taken up for the purpose of carrying lighting to the air-raid shelters; and whether he will have inquiries made to see if arrangements could be made with local authorities who share in the road to have the lighting of the road done at the same time and thus make one operation complete the whole?

Captain Wallace

I am aware that cables have been laid for the purpose of lighting air-raid shelters on certain parts of the East Lancashire Road. In normal circumstances I should agree that all pipes and cables should, wherever possible, be laid at the same time; and I should have been prepared to make a grant to the responsible lighting authorities towards the installation of an adequate lighting system on this Trunk Road. In present circumstances, however, I do not consider that it would be proper to incur expenditure on the laying of cables for a lighting installation.

Mr. Tinker

Is the Minister not aware that this is one of the best roads in the country and that it is constantly being taken up? Could not there be some co-ordination so that when any repairs have to be done everything can be done in one operation? A little co-ordination would help.

Captain Wallace

If I may say so, that appears to be the hon. Gentleman's same Question, to which I have given an answer. In peace-time I should have said, "Yes," but at the moment I do not think it is possible to incur the additional capital expenditure.