§ 24. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for the Home 1829 Department, if it has been decided to curtail the period of summer time for the future; and if he is aware of the dissatisfaction that this would cause among the very large urban populations in the country?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)As I stated in the course of the Debate on the Second Reading of the Summer Time Bill, the Government are prepared to recommend some reduction of the period proposed in the Bill. That period was originally proposed in order to secure uniformity with France and Belgium, and was longer than the period recommended by the Home Office Committee in 1917. The extent of the reduction will be a matter for discussion in Committee and in the House. I am well aware of the strong feeling in favour of Summer Time which exists in the towns, as I am also aware of the feeling against it which exists in many rural areas.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the overwhelming bulk of the population of this country lives in the large towns?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis Bill has gone to a Committee. The matter cannot now be argued.