§ 41. Sir HENRY NORMANasked the Home Secretary for what reason summer- 1942 time this year is to be a week shorter than last year and a month shorter than in France?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Summer Time Committee recommended the second Sunday in April as the date when Summer Time should begin. Last year the date was advanced three weeks for special reasons arising from the air raids which no longer exist, but there are still strong reasons for selecting an early date, and the 30th of March was fixed after consultation with the Coal Controller and other Departments interested. To fix the 1st of March, as in France, would have inflicted great inconvenience on those who begin work early without any compensating advantage.
§ Mr. BECKETTMay I ask whether, in fixing these periods, the right hon. Gentleman has taken into consideration the grave dissatisfaction which exists among large sections of the agricultural community on account of the period being fixed so long?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, that was considered.
Sir F. HALLWith a view to a large saving in electricity and coal, will the right hon. Gentleman consider putting the clock back another hour from the beginning of June to the middle of July?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, that will be considered.