Captain Duncanasked the Minister of Health how many surface shelters have electric lights burning all night in them in London; and whether, in the interests of fuel economy, he can arrange for switches to be installed in each shelter so that this waste of electric light can be avoided?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have no information which suggests that electric lights are being unnecessarily kept on at night in surface shelters in London, and I should be glad to look into any case which may have come to my hon. and gallant Friend's notice. Following a circular which I issued on 29th May, the Regional Commissioners have reminded local authorities in London of the need for the utmost economy in the use of lighting and heating in shelters, and that lights should be turned off whenever the shelters are not in use. The local authorities have also been recommended to reduce the number of shelters in use and therefore needing to be lit. The Majority of shelters which are lit by electricity have been fitted with separate switches. Material and labour are not available so to fit the remainder.