HC Deb 05 November 1969 vol 790 c1000
20. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now conduct a survey of the costs to agriculture of the continuance of British Standard Time.

Mr. John Mackie

Yes, Sir. After consultation with employers' and workers' organisations, and as part of the comprehensive review by the Government, my Department intends to carry out in December a study of the economic effects of British Standard Time on agriculture.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I am grateful for that reply. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the introduction of B.S.T. generally has been against the interests of the farming community, and can he assure us that when the review takes place next spring his Department will give the industry every support in presenting its views?

Mr. Mackie

Of course we will give it every support, and its views will be welcomed. However, I do not entirely agree with the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question.

Mr. Rankin

Now that so many of the animals of which we are thinking are confined for the greater part of their lives under the system of intensive farming, how can any change in the time affect them when they seldom see the sun?

Mr. Mackie

That is an ingenious method of putting a supplementary question on a subject very dear to my hon. Friend's heart.