§ 21. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the coal crisis and the decision to import coal, he will circularise local authorities requesting them to assist in reducing the consumption of gas and electricity by restricting the use of street lamps in country roads and lanes, especially in the rural districts of urban and borough areas.
§ Mr. BarnesI am considering the question of possible economies in street lighting and in this connection I will bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Sir W. SmithersIn view of the national disaster caused by the nationalisation of coal, will the right hon. Gentleman do what he can to restrict the unnecessary use of lights and, especially, will he order the B.B.C. not to keep on the lights in their studios and corridors all day long?
§ Mr. John HayIf the right hon. Gentleman pays any attention at all to the suggestion of my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers), will he make sure that he does not penalise the rural areas first?
§ 25. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the present shortage of coal, he will request local authorities to delay street lighting until one hour after lighting-up time from now until 1st March.
§ Mr. BarnesNo, Sir. The hour after lighting-up time from now until 1st March is about the worst time of the day for road accidents.
§ Mr. CrouchIs the Minister aware of the great loss of production which is caused during this time of the day and that people are not using the streets until after lighting up time because they are still employed in their offices and workshops? This is causing great loss to the farming community, because the milking 797 machines cannot work. This also applies to the boarding schools. I have a letter in my hand—
§ Mr. SpeakerSupplementary questions should not be short speeches.