asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken to bring to the attention of the highway authority responsible for street lighting on the A19 in the town of Easingwold his letter of 26th October, 1971, to local authorities on the subject of street lighting.

The Easingwold Parish Council is responsible for the existing street lighting, which is only footway lighting, and I asked rural district councils to bring my letter of 26th October to the attention of parish councils who are street lighting authorities.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the town of Easingwold is the only stretch of the A 19 trunk road inadequately lit, and that elderly people are afraid to cross the street after dark? Surely, as a trunk road and street lighting authority, my hon. Friend has a responsibility and should not disregard his own circular?

Additional funds are becoming available for trunk road lighting. A new scheme is under consideration, and we shall let my right hon. Friend know the results as soon as we have made up our mind on the matter.