HC Deb 02 March 1978 vol 945 cc653-4
16. Mr. Rifkind

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Government decided to devolve responsibility for summertime to the proposed Scottish and Welsh Assemblies.

Dr. Summerskill

Summer time, as past experience shows, is clearly a matter where there may be genuine arguments for a different Scottish practice. The subject is therefore appropriate for devolution to the Scottish Administration. The Government do not now propose to devolve responsibility for summer time to the Welsh Assembly.

Mr. Rifkind

I congratulate the Minister on this important change of policy that she has announced today. In relation to the possibility of a different time in Scotland compared with England and Wales at any given moment, has she had any discussions with the Patronage Secretary to decide whether, after devolution, Members from different parts of the United Kingdom will arrive for a 10 o'clock vote at Westminster at a different time?

Dr. Summerskill

I am sure that that matter, raised by the hon. Gentleman many times before, will be considered by the Scottish Assembly, because it will have to decide whether to have a different summer time. This is giving the Assembly the responsibility to decide as it sees fit.

Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

As Northern Ireland is in a similar geographical location to Scotland, why should not the Northern Irish decide their summer time?

Dr. Summerskill

No doubt that matter will be raised when devolution for Northern Ireland is considered.