§ Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL(by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any agree- 133 ment has yet been come to with the French Government for making the period of summer time commence and terminate on the same date in the two countries?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)A Conference has recently been held with representatives of the French and Belgian Governments, and an agreement was reached that the summer time period should commence on the night of the last Saturday in March, or the last Saturday but one in March when the last Saturday is the day preceding Easter Day, and end on the night of the first Saturday in October. The Government have carefully considered this proposal, and in view of the serious inconvenience at present caused by the difference between the three countries in the dates of commencing and ending summer time, they have approved the proposal, which corresponds very nearly to the dates which have been fixed in this country, and have informed the French Government that they are prepared to submit to Parliament legislation to give effect to it. It is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill for this purpose early next Session. I should add that the summer time period in France at present commences on 15th March and ends on 25th October, so that the French Government have made very large concessions in their desire to meet us.
§ Mr. SEXTONWill these conditions apply to the Northern Parliament?
§ Mr. SHORTTI cannot answer that.