§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Education to what extent fluorescent lighting is to be installed in schools under her administration; whether the opinion of oculists and other leading experts has been taken and with what results; and what is the estimated cost.
§ Miss WilkinsonI am unable to answer the first part of the Question, as this will depend primarily on the intentions of254W local education authorities, governing bodies and school managers, and on the supply position, but I am not proposing to take exception to the installation of this type of lighting in schools. As regards the second part of the Question, the matter is kept under constant review by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, to whom suitable expert advice, including that of oculists, is available. I am advised that no evidence has so far been produced showing that properly installed and operated systems of fluorescent lighting have any harmful effects, either upon children or adults. The answer to the last part of the Question is that the initial cost of installing fluorescent lighting, compared with filament lamps, is about three times as much, but that the running costs are about half.