In the Commons, the President of Board of Trade announced a scheme of restrictions affecting all users of gas and electricity to five-sixths of what they used in corresponding quarters in 1917, applicable to twenty-three Counties south of the line from the Wash to Bristol, excepting munition works, hospitals, et cetera. The scheme necessitated considerable reductions in London trams and under-ground Railways, abolished illumination of shop-windows and closed restaurants at half past nine and all places of amusement at half past ten. A scheme for Ireland was being considered. Sir A. Stanley forecasted the immediate cancellation of a very considerable number of passenger trains. He mentioned that Germany had reduced the train service by fifty-five percent and there had been considerable other reductions, since tramways in some cases had been reduced by 75 percent.
