HC Deb 26 April 1956 vol 551 c1946
5. Mr. Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now consider extending Summer Time this year to the end of November.

Major Lloyd-George

No, Sir. I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 8th March.

Mr. Hunter

Will the Home Secretary not give this matter some thought and consider it again? Last October, at the end of a wonderful summer, there was great disappointment among the people at the loss of an hour's daylight and sunshine. Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is overwhelming public opinion in favour of a longer Summer Time, and will he look into the matter?

Major Lloyd-George

I should be prepared to look into anything, but I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the times agreed under the Statute are come to as a result of compromise. What is very agreeable in some parts of the country is totally disagreeable in other parts, and we have to do the best we can to get a compromise and meet the wishes of the majority. I am prepared to look into the question again, but we have to consider the country as a whole and not parts of it.

Mr. Beresford Craddock

I am glad that my right hon. and gallant Friend is to look into this matter again with a view to extending Summer Time at least to the end of October. It always struck me as being rather early.