HC Deb 12 May 1970 vol 801 cc1043-4
8. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will undertake further research into the effect upon construction output of all-the-year round British Standard Time.

16. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will place in the Library a copy of the report of his National Consultative Council on the subject of the effect of British Standard Time on the construction industry.

Mr. Loughlin

The requirements of the current review of British Standard Time are met by the survey of the industry recently undertaken by my Department on behalf of my right hon. Friend's National Consultative Council. Copies of this were placed in the Library on 16th April.

Mr. Crouch

Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that the Government are to take a decision in July or August on the whole future of British Standard Time? Will he make the strongest representation to the Home Secretary that B.S.T. has added £30 million to building costs?

Mr. Loughlin

Without accepting wholly what the hon. Member has said, we will of course accept our responsibility for stating the case on behalf of the industry to the Home Secretary.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

To strengthen the Minister's hand, will he consider conducting a survey of the other Government Departments to find how much their time has been wasted and their costs have been raised by this ridiculous decision?

Mr. Loughlin

It is not our job to consider surveys of other Departments, as the hon. Gentleman knows.

Mr. Heffer

In view of the fact that the survey carried out by the Ministry came down firmly, on both the trade unions' and the employers' side, against continuation of British Standard Time, will my hon. Friend draw the attention of other Departments concerned about the future of British Standard Time to this and ensure that the construction industry does not have another winter with British Standard Time?

Mr. Loughlin

I would not be prepared to guarantee that we shall not have another winter on British Standard Time. Our job is to represent the interests of the building industry in this examination of the effects of British Standard Time. This we shall do.