§ Colonel Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the reason why the Leicester City authorities decline to operate the master-switch system of higher illumination for street lighting which they have available for immediate use.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that this is a matter within the discretion of the Leicester Corporation. I understand that the Corporation have preferred the lower of the new standards on the grounds that in their view that standard gives an adequate illumination and that it does not require to be extinguished on a warning.
§ Captain Pluggeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the indifferent response by all concerned in the London area to the new facilities with regard to lighting restrictions; and whether he will take steps to encourage all the authorities in the London area to provide the maximum lighting which is permissible under the new dispensation.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe authorities concerned are fully alive to the advantages of installing higher standards of lighting in their streets; but substantial technical and practical difficulties are involved, and these are now receiving consideration in consultation with my Department.
§ Mr. Petherickasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the written instructions or orders to the authorities concerned relating to the relaxation of the black-out were in the hands of such authorities for issue; and on what date notice of such relaxation was given to the B.B.C. and to the newspapers, respectively.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonCirculars were issued on 9th September to Chief Constables and local authorities giving particulars of the relaxations due to come into force on 17th September and of the areas to which they would not in the first 439W instance be applicable. Certain additional areas were mentioned in the Schedule to the Order published on 16th September and formal directions in regard to these areas were issued to Chief Constables on 15th September for communication to the public concerned. The Press and the B.B.C. were given an outline of the relaxations, without particulars as to areas, for publication on 7th September.
§ Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now abolish the blackout in all areas except those that may still be regarded as vulnerable areas.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe Government have announced their intention of abolishing the black-out throughout the country so soon as circumstances permit.
Grade. 1st January, 1944, to end of May. From beginning of pay week in which 1st June, 1944, fell. Civil Defence Pay. Service Pay. Civil Defence Pay. Service Pay. one yr. two yrs. three yrs. one yr. two yrs. three yrs. £ s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. £ s. d. s d. s. d. s. d. Party Member 3 18 6 1 6 3 6 7 0 4 0 6 4 0 8 0 12 0 Lorry Driver 3 18 6 1 6 3 6 7 0 4 0 6 4 0 8 0 12 0 or the local authority rate for their own lorry drivers, whichever is higher. (It is understood that on 1st January, 1944, the rates in London were generally from £4 5s. 6d. to £4 13s. 0d. on the (higher) local authority rate. They are now understood to be from £4 12s. 6d. to £4 16s. 0d.) Skilled Party Member 4 15 6 1 0 2 0 3 6 4 17 6 2 6 5 0 7 6 Party Leader 5 3 6 — — — 5 5 6 2 0 4 0 6 0 Station Rescue Foreman (L.C.C.) 5 8 6 — — — 5 10 6 1 6 3 0 4 6 Party Supervisor 5 8 6 — — — 5 10 6 1 6 3 0 4 6 or or 5 11 0 — — — 5 13 0 1 0 2 0 3 0 (according to degree of responsibility).