asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the earliest practicable date on which Summer Time can be reintroduced this winter.

Under the Summer Time Act, 1947, the reintroduction of Summer Time could be brought about on any day next year by Order in Council.

Could not His Majesty's Government shed a little more daylight on some of the problems confronting our people during the coming winter by maintaining Summer Time throughout the year, as is done in many other countries?

No, Sir. This is a matter which will come before the Government when they have to decide on the date when Summer Time should be introduced next year, but, having regard to representations which were made to us during the current year it is unlikely that we shall have Summer Time running throughout the year.

Can my right hon. Friend give any idea as to the people who are consulted before a change is made either for or against?

My colleagues in the Government consult the various interests with which their respective Departments are concerned. We then endeavour to arrive at a just balance between all these diverse interests.

Will the Home Secretary bear in mind that today, when we are so short of food, and will be even shorter next year, it is vital that we should not have Summer Time, because of its adverse effect on food production?

The agricultural interests are among those consulted.