§ 45. Sir HENRY NORMANasked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a small Committee of financial experts to report to him as soon as possible whether in their opinion the proposals of the Daylight Saving Bill, if put into operation during the coming summer, would result in substantial national economy?
§ 49. Mr. PETOasked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a small Committee of the House to inquire and report at once whether any considerable economy would be effected by the adoption during the War of the proposals contained in the Daylight Saving Bill?
§ Captain PIRIE (by Private Notice)May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will take into consideration the practically unanimous support recently given to the proposal in Scotland; and whether he is aware that, as reported in the "Times," daylight saving has been in operation in Germany since last summer? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!" and "That does it!"]
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe joint effect of the darkening of the streets and the early closing of places where intoxicants are sold has probably contributed more, towards shortening the interval between sunset and bedtime than would the adoption of Central European time as the standard time during the summer. I do not think there is sufficient reason to appoint a Committee of Inquiry on this subject, which was examined by Committees of this House in 1908 and 1909.
§ Captain PIRIEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1908 the Committee reported in favour of the proposal, and that in 1909 the Committee was only against it by a majority of 1?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe two Committees did not agree.