§ 78. Mr. Clive Bossomasked the Minister of Transport why, in view of the fact that adequate road lighting results in a reduction in the accident rate during the hours of darkness, his grant for the installation of lighting is limited to 50 per cent. on trunk roads and no grant is made towards the lighting of other roads.
§ Mr. HayThe primary responsibility for street lighting rests with local lighting authorities. My right hon. Friend's powers to contribute towards the cost of street lighting are confined to trunk roads,48W where he is prepared to pay 50 per cent. of the cost of approved lighting systems if the lighting authorities agree to install and maintain them. Lighting authorities have represented that this is not enough, and we are now considering their representations.
§ Mr. Clive Bossomasked the Minister of Transport what was the total grant made by him during each of the last three years and during the current financial year towards the lighting of roads.
§ Mr. MarplesUnder agreements with local lighting authorities, I have contributed the following amounts towards the installation, maintenance and operation of approved lighting systems on trunk roads:
£ thousands 1959–60 357 1960–61 353 1961–62 412 1962–63 (to 28th February 1963) 331