HC Deb 07 December 1944 vol 406 cc767-8W
Sir A. Pownall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in order to enable full advantage to be taken of the dim-out, he will remove the requirement that houses be blacked out on an alert.

Mr. H. Morrison

When the half light or dim-out relaxation was introduced it was made a condition that black-out must be reimposed between the sounding of the "alert" and the "raiders passed." In accordance with the policy of progressive relaxation of restrictions whenever circumstances permit, I am glad to be able now to withdraw this condition. As from the beginning of black-out on Saturday evening, 9th December, it will not be necessary to black-out premises when an alert sounds. In addition, public service vehicles need not reduce their interior lighting during an alert. In the event of a recurrence of piloted raids, it may be necessary again to apply the condition requiring black-out of premises and the reduction of lighting inside public service vehicles on an alert.