§ 26. Mr. Leachasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that night motoring helps enemy raiders to population centres; that many chief constables are disturbed on this account; that many motorists do not observe lighting restrictions; that Germany has long since dealt 546 with the problem; and will he, with a view to conserving petrol, reducing deaths on the highway, and allaying public disquiet, reconsider his recent refusal to institute a curfew?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonI have consulted with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security and I see no reason to alter the view I previously expressed.
§ Mr. LeachIs my right hon. and gallant Friend not aware that in at least three bombed cities the chief constables believe that the presence of night motorists has contributed heavily to the increased death roll, and that in at least one instance there has been doubt as to whether there would have been bombing at all if there had been no night motorists?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonIt is very difficult for any of us to have expert information as to what does or does not give away information to the enemy. We have to abide by the information given to the Government by the appropriate authorities. It is no use for me or for my hon. Friend to hold strong views as to what does give away information. I am told by experts who fly over the country that information is not being given away, and that is as far as I can go.
§ Mr. LeachHas my right hon. and gallant Friend consulted with the chief constables of the bombed cities to arrive at that conclusion?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonNo; I have consulted everybody on the flying side.
§ Mr. LoganIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I took observations on 14 separate occasions; that when I saw vivid lights on a certain main road it was bombed, when the cars were running about?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonThat is rather like what people say about towns being bombed because of the presence of signals.