16. Mr. David Adamsasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the marked increase in road fatalities and accidents at Newcastle-upon-Tyne during the hours of blackout, it is intended to, permit improved lighting in that city?
§ Sir J. AndersonIn a place so near the coast as Newcastle defence considerations make it impossible to allow street lighting of any kind.
Mr. AdamsWill not the Minister give this matter more consideration, as this is a densely populated area where the population are steeped in toil and must go about the streets at all hours of the night; and is it any wonder that there is risk of considerable fatalities?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe matter has been considered most carefully. The whole difficulty is, that fixed street lighting in a coast town gives an indication of definite value to the enemy.
§ Mr. Ralph EthertonWould not the risk be comparatively much greater if the enemy could see where they were?
§ Sir John JarvisWould it not be much better if they abolished the tram cars?