HC Deb 05 November 1959 vol 612 cc1176-7
7. Mr. Cooper-Key

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that it would greatly assist holiday makers and seaside resorts if Summer Time could be extended throughout October; and whether he will make a statement on this matter.

8. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received requesting that the period of British Summer Time should be extended; and whether he will make a statement.

39. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will appoint a committee to review the operation of Summer Time and the desirability of extending the period by a fortnight in October.

Mr. Vosper

Several suggestions have been made to the Government from various sources, including the tourist industry, that Summer Time should be extended. The National Farmers' Unions of England and Wales and of Scotland are, however, against it; and a permanent extension would require legislation. In these circumstances, further soundings of opinion seem desirable, and we propose to seek the views of a wide range of bodies concerned with industry, including the tourist industry, commerce, and agriculture.

Mr. Hall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it would greatly help the tourist industry if Summer Time could start a little earlier so that it could take in Easter when Easter comes early in a particular year?

Mr. Vosper

I will note that point. The inquiry will be a very wide one and will take into account that possibility.

Captain Pilkington

Does my right hon. Friend realise that there is really a great body of opinion in support of this idea, and will he at least try it as an experiment in the forthcoming year?

Mr. Vosper

I could not promise to do that. The inquiry is to be really comprehensive, and I should not wish to come to any decision until we have received its conclusions.

Sir A. Hurd

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that when the National Farmers' Unions of England and Wales looked at this matter last year there was a very even distribution of opinion, the Scottish N.F.U., I think, being against the extension of Summer Time? Will he keep in mind that public opinion is changing on the matter, and that this autumn, as he will probably find, the weight of public opinion will be in favour of extension by a fortnight?

Mr. Ronald Bell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that altering the clock has no effect on the weather and that it is really quite easy to get up an hour earlier if one wants to?