Mr. Folick:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the inevitability of a General Election in the earlier part of next year, if he will fix the starting date for daylight saving as the first of March instead of its usual date.

No, Sir. I cannot accept either the premises or the conclusions of my hon. Friend.

While making allowance for the ignorance of my right hon. Friend—[Laughter]—is he not aware that it would be a great advantage to all parties if we had this extra hour for canvassing purposes if we do have an election early next year?

Would the right hon. Gentleman lighten our darkness to the extent of saying whether the General Election will be within the first three months of next year?

No, Sir. A little healthy speculation over Christmas will do people a lot of good.

Cannot the Home Secretary put hon. Members opposite in marginal seats out of their misery?

I think they are in remarkably good heart.

In view of the fact that we waste more hours of daylight in winter than in summer, will the Home Secretary consider, when thinking of altering the clock, leaving it alone and not playing about with it?

I shall be discharging my statutory duty in this form of sport shortly.