§ 34. Mr. Lipsonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many local authorities are refusing to instal the restricted street lighting now authorised owing to the heavy cost involved; and will he regard such expenditure as eligible for air-raid precautions expenditure grant?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe installation of the new type of lighting will not impose an unduly heavy charge on local authorities, particularly if account is taken of the considerable savings which many authorities will have made during the period when no street lighting was allowed and also of the substantial reduction in the cost of the gas or electricity required for the new lighting as compared with that required for normal street lighting. I regret that I cannot regard expenditure incurred by local authorities in providing street lighting as eligible to rank for air-raid precautions grant.
§ Mr. LipsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that, in point of fact, local authorities are deciding that they cannot afford this expenditure, and that many districts are deprived of this lighting as a result; and in view of the danger involved in being on the roads at night will he consider trying to meet that position?
§ Mr. LyonsWould my right hon. Friend consider publishing a message to those authorities, if any, who have refused to adopt this improved lighting?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have not had brought to my notice so far any considerable number of cases of local authorities having taken up the attitude suggested by my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson). I will bear in mind the suggestion.
§ Sir Percy HarrisHave not local authorities saved a great deal in lighting expenditure owing to the reduction of general street lighting? Does not that compensate them for this expenditure?
§ Sir J. AndersonThat is what I said in my answer.
§ 39. Mr. Burkeasked the Home Secretary why local authorities who are desirous of instituting a modified form of street lighting, and who have purchased lamp fittings made according to the Government standards, are prevented from using these lamps; and when can makers of such lamps expect to receive British standards institute certification marks?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have not heard of any such difficulty. The British Standards Institution inform me that every maker who has applied to them for a licence to mark fittings for the new form of street lighting has already been granted a licence.
§ Mr. BurkeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Burnley authority ordered some of these lamps from a particular firm in London, to be made according to requirements, and they cannot get them because the firm say that they cannot get the Standards Institution to give certificates?
§ Sir J. AndersonThat is not my information.
§ Sir J. AndersonCertainly.