§ 14. Mr. Rifkindasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received urging his responsibility for the fixing of summer time to be devolved to the proposed Scottish and Welsh Assemblies in respect of those parts of the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. SummerskillNone, Sir.
§ Mr. RifkindDoes the hon. Lady realise that this unwanted proposal in the White Paper to devolve responsibility for summer time to the Scottish and Welsh Assemblies must be one of the silliest decisions made by the present Government? Does she realise that if the Assemblies used those powers and if she wished to drive from Cardiff to Edinburgh she might have to correct her watch twice during the course of the journey? Will the hon. Lady withdraw the proposal now rather than force the House to have a lengthy debate on the subject in the coming months?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe hon. Gentleman is anticipating a decision of the Scottish and Welsh Assemblies which has not yet been taken. It must not be assumed that the devolution of responsibility for summer time would mean that those Assemblies would decide to have different periods.
§ Mr. WattThe Minister may not agree about the outcome of devolving responsibility for summer time, but does she agree that at least the economic climate in Scotland will be better?
§ Mr. Ioan EvansDoes my hon. Friend realise that this is a bizarre proposal? Is she aware that it could mean that the 10 o'clock news in London would be heard at 9 o'clock in Cardiff and at 11 o'clock in Edinburgh? If the idea of devolution is to unite the people of Britain, this is not the way to do it. Will my hon. Friend deny the report that if the proposal were accepted there would be a national supply of cuckoo clocks?
§ Dr. SummerskillI can only repeat that no decision to that effect has been taken by Assemblies that haw, not yet even been set up. No doubt those Assemblies, when they consider the subject, will take into consideration the difficulties put forward by hon. Members.