HC Deb 05 December 1968 vol 774 cc555-6W
Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study he has made of the effect of the introduction of British Standard Time into Scotland on the degree of industrial fatigue, general health and industrial productivity.

Mr. Ross

Since British Standard Time has only been in existence since October this year, it is too early to estimate its effects.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the effect on school hours of the introduction of British Standard Time; and how many education authorities have altered school hours.

Mr. Ross

There have always been some local variations in the starting times for schools in Scotland both between different schools and between summer and winter. This winter twenty educa- tion authorities have left it to the discretion of the schools themselves to propose changes in the light of local circumstances and a number of schools in their areas have done so. Two authorities have revised the hours for some of their rural schools; two more have adjusted hours throughout their area. Eleven authorities have so far decided to take no action in regard to school hours.