§ 28. Mr. Gordon Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what further study he has made of the economic advantages of retaining British Standard Time through the winter; and if he will make a statement.
§ 14. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will make an estimate of the loss or gain of production caused to date by the introduction of British Standard Time.
§ 20. Mr. Bodyasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what inquiries are being made by his department to ascertain the effect upon industrial production of British Standard Time in the winter.
Mr. Alan WilliamsA few months experience is an insufficient basis for assessing any effects which the introduction of British Standard Time may have had on industrial production. Although the Government placed little weight on the economic arguments when introducing this measure, such arguments will, of course, be covered in the comprehensive review in the spring of 1970.
§ Mr. CampbellWhen will the Government recognise that they cannot stop the sun from rising earlier on President de Gaulle and points further east in Europe than it does in Britain and that we there fore have a worse problem of dark mornings than these other countries have?
Mr. WilliamsAt least the Government accepted the responsibilities of facing up to this issue. The Opposition did not even take a line on it. If they can not accept the responsibilities of opposition, they are not fit to accept the responsibilities of Government.
§ Mr. EllisWhat representations were received from those who were against the introduction of this Measure? In view of the interests North of the Border, what representations, from industry and other wise, against this Measure were received from North of the Border?
Mr. WilliamsAs was explained on Second Reading, there were wide consultations. North of the Border there was, in relation to population, a higher pro portion of consultations than took place South of the Border?