§ Sir Smedley Crookeasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, under the present regulations, private motor cars allowed on roads after dark, even with restricted lighting, give valuable guides to German bombers towards industrial towns and help them to find their targets; and will he consider the advisability of making an immediate order prohibiting the use of private motor cars of any kind after 30 minutes after sunset, except those on important Government business for which special licences should be issued by the police?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe regulations governing the lighting of vehicles are so designed as to prevent the lights from being unduly visible from the air, while at the same time affording sufficient light to enable traffic to proceed with safety at a reasonable speed. As I recently announced in the House, I have taken steps to reduce the risk of visibility from the air still further by requiring a more drastic dimming of side-lights. But it would be impossible to eliminate the risk altogether without bringing traffic to a standstill at night. As regards the second part of the Question my hon. Friend will be aware that a large number of private cars are used for professional and business purposes, or for the transport of persons engaged on important work. In these circumstances it appears to me to be impracticable to impose any such prohibition as my hon. Friend suggests.