HC Deb 24 February 1947 vol 433 cc253-4W
Mr. Shurmer

asked the Secretary of State for War in view of the danger and inconvenience to pedestrians and motor traffic owing to snow and icy roads during the hours of darkness, if he will arrange for searchlight sections on the outskirts of towns and cities to operate between the hours of darkness to midnight.

Mr. Bellenger

There are no suitably equipped searchlight units now scattered over the country; they are concentrated in a few areas. The only searchlight equipment suitable for lighting depends for power either on the main electricity supply or on mobile generators which are at present so far as possible being lent to industry. Moreover, this type of searchlight is not designed to be used for long periods and the equipment would suffer if it were so used.

Mr. Ede

I regret that it is not possible to furnish all the information requested The available information is a follows: