§ Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is satisfied that an excess of power has so far not been used by the permitted lighting on shops and buildings; and whether he is yet able to make a statement on whether this lighting will be allowed to continue during the winter months or at any rate during the Christmas period.
§ Mr. GaitskellYes. I am satisfied that the shop window lighting and display lighting at present permitted are not placing any strain on available generating capacity. As regards the second part of the Question, the Electric Lighting (Restriction) Order, 1949 (S.I. 1949 No. 633) provides that advertisement and display lighting may be used all day on Saturdays and Sundays and from after 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. on other days throughout the winter. It is unlikely that any special relaxations of shop lighting restrictions will be possible at Christmas, 1949, except during such periods as may be treated as general holidays by industry. Experience shows that, except on such holidays, the electricity load in the pre-Christmas week is heavier than the normal at that time of the year and, in consequence, there is a serious risk of the system being overloaded.