§ 6. Mr. Buchanan smithasked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will conduct a surveyt of the costs to the building and construction industry of the continuance of British Standard Time.
§ The Minister of Public Building and Works (Mr. John Silkin)As part of a comprehensive programme of consultation with industry about the implications of British Standard Time and following the acceptance of my suggestin of N.C.C. on 17th September, 1969, a survey is being arranged under its auspices.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that all the evidence in the industry so far indicates a rise in costs and a fall in productivity? In view of the serious fall back in hte house building programme, ought not the British Standard Time experiment to be reviewed now?
§ Mr. SilkinI am aware of the evidence that was submitted earlier this year by the N.F.B.T.E. At the moment, I think that it is quite sufficient that the N.C.C. is itself considering the implications of British Standard Time. In due course, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will take all these matters into consideration and arrive at his conclusions.