HL Deb 10 February 1986 vol 471 c3

2.40 p.m.

Viscount Mountgarret

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether British summer time might start in future on the last Sunday in February instead of on the last Sunday in March.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, on 19th December 1985 your Lordships' approved an order that has the effect of continuing the present date for the start of summer time for a further three years. In proposing that, Her Majesty's Government took the view that that date, which is now uniform throughout member states of the European Community, represented the most satisfactory compromise between those who sought more daylight in the afternoon and those who opposed the loss of daylight in the early morning.

Viscount Mountgarret

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that reply. I wonder whether the Government will be kind enough to bear in mind that currently as British summer time is brought to an end there are seven weeks before the shortest day, and that we reintroduce it again approximately 15 weeks after the shortest day? Reintroducing summer time at the end of February would mean a disparity of only 11 weeks on one side and seven weeks on the other. Will the Government be good enough to hear that point in mind?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I shall certainly take note of my noble friend's remarks. Perhaps I may add that the order to which I referred sets out the dates for the start and finish of summer time for 1986, 1987 and 1988. Therefore, the matter is to that extent a fait accompli for the next three years. As a result, I am not in a position to give my noble friend any encouragement; but I suggest that he raises this matter again some time towards the end of 1988.

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, has not the noble Viscount who asked this Question a most pleasing sense of humour: to suggest that British summer time be commenced at the end of the present month?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, all I can say in reply is that although we have summer time, that does not mean that we can guarantee a summer.