§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask whether, in view of the Minister's reply to the debate on the lighting of through-traffic routes which took place on January 23, 1958, Her Majesty's Government are now in a position to report upon the progress of two matters in the reply—namely, the general survey of classified roads within the areas of lighting authorities; and the proposal that lighting authorities within the London area and other areas throughout the country should be invited to set up consultative committees with a view to the better co-ordination of lighting.]
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, the survey of lighting on all trunk and Class I roads is now being carried out with the co-operation of local authorities. About three-quarters of the returns have been received, but it will not be possible to draw any conclusions until the survey is complete and the facts analysed. A London Consultative Committee has been set up, but other areas have not yet taken similar action. My right honourable friend will, of course, welcome any steps which will secure a better co-ordination of street lighting.
LORD HAMPTONMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl very much for his reply, may I ask whether it is the intention of has right honourable friend 366 the Minister to continue to use his persuasive powers on those lighting authorities who could take part in this very sensible plan but who have not yet done so?
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, is the noble Earl aware that this question of lighting is of first importance from the point of view of road safety, because one gets alternate pools of light and pools of darkness which produce most difficult conditions for drivers, particularly drivers of heavy commercial vehicles operating throughout the country? Further, the noble Earl's Answer rather assumes that it is being treated solely as a London question. I hope that this is not so: it is far wider than that.
THE EARL OF GOSFORDI am almost as fully aware of the various problems as the noble Earl is himself. On his point about this being a question of the London area only, I would point out that it is London that has started the ball rolling, but we have asked the rest of the country to follow wherever possible.
LORD GIFFORDMy Lords, may I draw the noble Earl's attention to the particularly bad example of Warwick Way, which is part of the new trunk road to London Airport?
LORD HAWKEWill Her Majesty's Government consider sending a delegation to Rio de Janeiro to examine the lighting of that city, where there is no darkness at all on the main roads at night?