HC Deb 21 October 1943 vol 392 cc1496-7
30. Mr. E. P. Smith

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the favourable turn in the air war and the damaging effect on public morale of the lighting restrictions, especially after four winters of war, he will consider an experimental lessening of the black-out in the London area during this autumn?

Mr. H. Morrison

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 23rd September to Questions about the possibility of relaxing the black-out Regulations.

Mr. Smith

In view of the fact that the German raiders to-day almost invariably drop flares, does he consider that a small lessening of the black-out would really add to the public danger?

Mr. Morrison

That is not in accordance with the advice of the Air Ministry.

Mr. Leach

Could the Home Secretary see his way to lessening some of the early morning restrictions?

Mr. Morrison

That was dealt with in the answer to which I have referred.

Mr. Higgs

Is the Minister aware of the detrimental effect the black-out is having on industrial workers? Could he not see his way to relieve the restrictions somewhat, in view of the fact that some men never see daylight for four months of the year?

Mr. Morrison

I have done what I can in that respect, but the advice of my Department and the Ministry of Labour is that workmen would be worried if the black-out was lifted.

Sir Herbert Williams

Does the Minister think that the black-out has prevented the Germans from reaching London in any of the last five nights, including last night, when there was a heavy thunderstorm?

Mr. Morrison

It probably had an effect on the capacity of the Germans to drop bombs on any particular object.

Sir H. Williams

But did they not drop all the bombs they brought?