HC Deb 21 November 1979 vol 974 cc185-6W
Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

asked the Minister of Transport (1) for how long a section of the M4 motorway was left without signals or emergency telephones following the power failure commencing on Sunday 11 November;

(2) what arrangements for alternative power supplies are available to ensure the continued functioning of motorway signals and emergency telephones when the primary power source fails.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The telephones were out of order, not because of a power failure, for a period of about 58 hours which included Sunday 11 November. Arrangements do exist for an emergency power supply but it will not necessarily operate all signals. I shall write to my hon. Friend with further information dealing with this failure and the emergency procedures available.