§ 13. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will initiate legislation to promote improvement and uniformity in the street lighting of those roads in built-up areas on which there is a substantial volume of traffic.
§ Mr. WatkinsonStreet lighting is the responsibility of local lighting authorities, and they are well aware of the recommended standards of lighting for such roads and are, in general, bringing them up to these standards as their circumstances permit.
§ Mr. PageIs not the legislation with regard to street lighting chaotic at the moment? Is not the difference between grants for street lighting and grants for 894 road improvement deterring local authorities from carrying out lighting improvements which are very necessary from the point of view of road safety? Is there not something which my right hon. Friend can do not only to improve but to create uniformity in street lighting?
§ Mr. WatkinsonIf my hon. Friend would like to make any specific points to me on that question, I should be very glad to look at them. None the less, this is the responsibility of local authorities and not the central Government.
§ Mr. FernyhoughDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the best encouragement he could give to local authorities to carry out reforms in lighting would be to have a word with the Chancellor with a view to his reducing the interest rates which local authorities have to pay when they borrow money in respect of these necessary works?