HC Deb 19 May 1960 vol 623 cc1453-5
3. Mr. Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received the replies from all the organisations he consulted on an extension of Summer Time; and if he will take measures to extend Summer Time until the end of October this year.

Mr. Vosper

Five of the 176 organisations consulted have not yet replied. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply whioh I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Sir A Hurd) on 12th May.

Mr. Hunter

Is the Minister aware that his reply will be disappointing to millions of people? In addition to the pleasure that an extra hour of daylight would bring to them, it could be a big factor in reducing the terrible toll of road casualties. Surely that should make the Home Office make up its mind?

Mr. Vosper

The Home Office has come to no decision on this matter. All that I said was that we have had an extraordinarily mixed bag of replies in response to the questionnaire. They by no means conform to any one pattern, and therefore we must have a little more time for consideration.

Captain Pilkington

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a vast majority of people outside the organised bodies which he has consulted would very much like more hours of summer sunshine during the year?

Mr. Vosper

We have, of course, consulted all the organised bodies which represent the public—local authority associations, chambers of trade, and so on. The variety of replies that we have received is surprising, and they cextainly do not all point to the conclusion to which, in fact, my hon. and gallant Friend has himself come.

Mr. Fletcher

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a great deal of popular feeling on this subject, a lot of which obviously does not manifest itself through any organised channel? I think that most hon. Members will agree that there is probably an overwhelming body of opinion which thinks that Summer Time could with advantage be extended. Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the very valid observations of my hon. Friend the Member for Feltham (Mr. Hunter) about the effect this might have in reducing road accidents?

Mr. Vosper

Yes, certainly, I think there is much in what the hon. Member says, but I think that, in view of the conflicting reports, we must consult every Department concerned. I should not like the hon. Gentleman to think that we could necessarily make any change this autumn.