§ LORD O'NEILL OF THE MAINEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they now consider, after two years experimentation, that Greenwich Mean Time should be restored for the three darkest months of the year.]
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, the decision whether or not Greenwich Mean Time should be restored will depend upon the results of a comprehensive review of the effects of British Standard Time during the winters of 1968–69 and 1969–70. The review, which is being undertaken during the first half of this year, will include a comparative analysis of accident statistics, a social survey of the views of the general public, and special consideration of the effects of British Standard Time on those sections of the community which are most affected by early morning darkness.
§ LORD O'NEILL OF THE MAINEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware—and he obviously is, from his last remark—that this new system affects the North and the West very much worse than it does the South-East, where of course, of necessity, our legislators live? May I also ask the noble Lord whether he is aware what pleasure it would give to the Irish, North and South, on St. Patrick's Day if he could hold out some hope that next winter will be the last one in which we shall be inflicted with this penalty?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I am aware that different parts of the country 992 are affected differently by the present arrangement. I am also aware that the majority of both Houses of Parliament voted for a three years' experiment, which we are now undergoing. So far as the position in Northern Ireland is concerned, much as I should like to give them glad news on this day I can only say that the decision as to whether or not the Act is repealed lies with the Northern Ireland Parliament.