§ The Earl of Kimberleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why British Summer Time ends approximately six or seven weeks before the winter solstice and why it does not start again after a similar period; that is, during the latter half of February.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)Summer time was first introduced in 1916. Its period has been adjusted several times in response to national and sector interests and the preference of the public. Its present period, from about 13 weeks after the winter solstice to about eight weeks before, was introduced in 1972 as a compromise between the various interests at that time, with a minor adjustment in 1981 to harmonise the start date with our Community partners.