HC Deb 22 April 1969 vol 782 cc240-2
16. Mr. Clegg

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representations he has received from the National Federation of Building Trades Employers about British Standard Time; and whether he will make a statement.

23. Mr. Waddington

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will give details of the representations he has received from the building industry about increased costs and loss of productivity on building sites as a result of British Standard Time; and what reply he has sent.

26. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what further action is to be taken arising out of Her Majesty's Government's consideration of the representation made to him by builders regarding British Standard Time.

35. Mr. Donald Williams

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what further representations he has received from builders about British Standard Time; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Mellish

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Perth and East Perthshire (Mr. MacArthur) on 24th March, 1969.—[Vol. 780, c. 233.]

Mr. Clegg

Is it not increasingly clear that B.S.T. is increasing costs and slowing down production? Can we afford that? Will the right hon. Gentleman press the Home Secretary to bring forward the review?

Mr. Mellish

The National Federation of Building Trade Employers prepared a memorandum at my request about British Standard Time, which came before my National Consultative Council. It was discussed there, and as a consequence I have made representations to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary about the N.F.B.T.E.'s concern.

Mr. Waddington

Has it not been made clear to the Minister in the memorandum to which he referred that it is not only the employers who object to B.S.T., because of its effect on costs, but also the employees, who object on grounds of convenience?

Mr. Mellish

It is perfectly fair to say that the unions agree with the employers, although for not quite the same reasons. The unions thought that many more sites should have much greater illumination anyway. The National Consultative Council was not completely unanimous that British Standard Time should be stopped.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Did not the memorandum show that not only had productivity declined as a result of B.S.T. but that the accident rate had increased? As the Secretary of State for Scotland seems to have been unable to make any impression on the mulish obstinacy of the Home Secretary in the matter, will the right hon. Gentleman renew his effort to get the Home Secretary to think again—and quickly?

Mr. Mellish

I am generally reluctant to draw conclusions from short-term movements in the accident rate, because it fluctuates considerably from year to year and at various periods, and I would not like to say that the increase in the accident rate is due to B.S.T. My right hon. Friend will have to look at these fluctuations nationally when considering British Standard Time.

Mr. Williams

Whilst the right hon. Gentleman is obviously very proud of the industry's increased production and efficiency, does he not recognise that British Standard Time reduces the efficiency of the industry for which he is responsible?

Mr. Mellish

The industry has a special point of view, and has a right to express it. It has done so, and I have put it forward to the appropriate quarters. I can do no more.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

In view of the results of the survey, is it not time the Minister pressed the Government specifically that the assessment be turned into a full-scale review, perhaps leading to the abandonment of British Standard Time in the two darkest months?

Mr. Mellish

Those are the sort of questions which must be asked of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. It must be said, in fairness to him, that he has to consider the effect of B.S.T. not simply from the construction industry point of view, important as that is, but from the point of view of the country as a whole. There is no unanimous view on this side of the House, and I doubt whether there is on the opposite side.