asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken to obtain the co-operation of all local authorities to save fuel consumption, by not allowing the street lighting to be used before lighting-up times.

I made an appeal on 11th January to all street lighting authorities to make the greatest economies possible without undue risk. Lighting authorities must be allowed to use their discretion in this. On some days lighting needs to be switched on before the nominal lighting-up time and I have suggested that lighting ought not to be cut during the period when danger of road accidents is greatest—that is, in the early hours of the evening and particularly around the hour of dusk.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will withdraw his instruction to the authority concerned for the extinguishing of all street lights by 11 p.m. in the Paddington area, in view of the prevalence of crime in this area and the general desire of the residents that the thoroughfares should be illuminated at night for this reason.

I have not instructed any lighting authority to extinguish street lights at any particular time. I have asked them to consult the police and to effect such economies as can be made without undue risk. I have suggested that where lights are extinguished during the night hours 11 p.m. might be a good time to switch off in most cases.