British Time Harmonisation

Lord Young of Norwood Green Excerpts

Wednesday 11th July 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord De Mauley]

That was a wide-ranging question, my Lords, but I always listen to the noble Lord with great respect and interest.

[Lord Young of Norwood Green]

My Lords, will the Minister develop his idea on how consensus will be achieved? I reflect on the fact that, in theory, we are in summer time at the moment; perhaps we ought to change its name after the current spate. Seriously, can he give us some indication of the positive impact for business if we made this change? My recollection of the change 40 years ago is not quite that there was such an overwhelming rejection. It might have been less welcome the farther north you went, but it would still have some benefits.

[Lord De Mauley]

We have already had a bit of a discussion about the effects on trade and I do not think that I have a great deal to add. However, if I detect a sense of hesitancy in the noble Lord about going for a change, I can quote to him what the Prime Minister said:

“I want us to have a united time zone. It's up to those who want to make the change to make the argument to try to convince people right across the country that it's a good thing”.