HC Deb 19 June 1969 vol 785 cc687-9
37. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet completed his interim review of British Standard Time; and if he will make a statement.

23. Mr. Chichester Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about his interim assessment of the effects of British Standard Time.

Mr. Callaghan

Yes, Sir. An interim assessment has been made based on a study of road accident figures—which I am publishing in the OFFICIAL REPORT—and of the available statistics of accidents in industry and agriculture during the past winter. The views volunteered by representative organisations have also been examined, together with correspondence from members of the public.

The difficulties which emerge were foreseen and taken into account during the passing of the British Standard Time Act, which envisages a review to be made after the experience of two winters.

The evidence available at this stage is not conclusive, although the fears expressed about road accidents have happily not been borne out.

The Government therefore propose to continue as intended with a comprehensive review of advantages and disadvantages based on the experience of two winters, and this review which will include a social survey will take place after the winter of 1969–70.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Is the Home Secretary aware that that answer will cause despair throughout Scotland and, I suspect, in many parts of the North of England as well?

Following the humiliation that the right hon. Gentleman helped to impose upon the Prime Minister yesterday, he might at least now show some magnanimity if not to the Prime Minister, at any rate to the people of Scotland, by thinking again and taking this miserable Act off the Statute Book without imposing another winter of B.S.T. upon them.

Mr. Callaghan

The hon. Gentleman clearly does not wish to wait for the comprehensive review which Parliament agreed should be undertaken at the end of two winters.

The hon. Gentleman is so prone to exaggerated language that he really spoils his own case. There is a balance of advantage and disadvantage here. This should be properly assessed; Parliament decided that it should be done at the end of the two years, and this is what I propose to continue to do.

Mr. William Hamilton

In order to take the emotional heat out of the question, will my right hon. Friend undertake to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the accident statistics which he mentioned, and, if possible, to separate the English figures from the Scottish ones?

Mr. Callaghan

I shall publish them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I am not sure whether I can separate them, but they show that the exaggerated fears expressed by the hon. Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne), and by many others, are not borne out. I am delighted to say that there were fewer accidents than in the corresponding period the year before in the relevant hours of darkness. I do not wish to place too much weight on this because it is only one winter and the figures vary a great deal, but it exposes the case against exaggeration in this matter.

Mrs. Ewing

Was the review limited to statistics of accidents on the roads and in industry, or did it take into account the attitude of citizens? If it did not, will the right hon. Gentleman consider having such a review before he finally makes up his mind?

Mr. Callaghan

I assure the hon. Lady that I have an analysis made of letters I receive from the public as well as from organisations which wish to put views to me. When the social survey is made after next winter it will be on a completely comprehensive basis, and I hope that we shall be able to get a very full picture about the way in which people look at this situation.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Whitaker

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the supplementary question, I give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Following is the information:

ROAD ACCIDENT FIGURES
Increase or Decrease in 1968–69 over corresponding month in 1967–68
Nov. Dec. Jan.
All accidents +679 +266 +1,248
Accidents during relevant hours* -51 -137 +152
All accidents involving children +53 -16 +175
Accidents involving children during relevant hourst† +17 -17 +96
* i.e. 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., all days of the week.
† i.e. 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays to Fridays only.