HC Deb 15 April 1970 vol 799 cc1384-5
38. Mr. Marten

asked the Lord President of the Council why the times shown on the closed circuit television annunciators are shown in both British and Continental fashion.

Mr. Peart

The annunciator shows the actual time by means of a digital clock, and all standard digital clocks show the time in Continental fashion. The indication of the time when a speech or proceeding began continues to be indicated in British style. This is designed to assist hon. Members in differentiating between the two times, but if hon. Members find it confusing, I should certainly be willing to re-examine the matter.

Mr. Marten

As we are not, and never will be, part of continental Europe, may I welcome the right hon. Gentleman's desire to reconsider this matter and urge him not to be led astray by the precedent of British Railways, because we are the British Parliament and for goodness sake let us have British time showing in the British Parliament?

Mr. Peart

I have given my reply. Let me leave it at that for the moment.