XN000022-1973-12-10 — Page 2

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Monday, December 10, 1973

LIGHTING RESTRICTIONS NOW IN FORCE

Mr. Porter Calls For 100 Per Cent Compliance

EN

The order banning the use of certain types of lighting, except

for four and a half hours each evening, has now come into force and it

appears that the majority of people are complying with it.

The Director of Oil Supplies, Mr. Roy Porter, said today he had

noticed that most of the advertising signs and display lights had been

switched off by midnight last night in accordance with the order.

However, he stressed that in order to make the fullest possible

use of this fuel saving measure, there must be a 100 per cent compliance.

The restrictions Mr. Porter said, applied throughout the day and

during most hours of darkness. He said some shops were allowing their

advertising or display lights to be turned on during the day, but this was

against the order. "All those lights covered by the order are only permitted

between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., for the remainder of the time

they must be switched off."

Breaches of the order could lead to a maximum fine of 330,000 and

six months imprisonment.

At the same time, Mr. Porter clarified a number of points which had

subsequently been raised since the introduction of the lighting restrictions.

lie said there seemed to be some misunderstanding over the restrictions

on display lighting, and pointed out that they applied to the use of lights

in shop windows to display any particular article or articles.

Display lights in shop counters and cabinets also had to be switched off.

In cases where these lights were wired to the overall lighting system in shops

it would be necessary for them to make alternative arrangements.

Both these rules applied to shops in arcades.

In some cases, Mr. Porter

explained, arcade shops may well have to rely on the public lighting system

in the buildings to light up their shop windows.

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