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| MPs debate UK clocks change trial | MPs debate UK clocks change trial |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| MPs are debating a proposal to move the UK's clocks forward by an hour for a three-year trial period. | MPs are debating a proposal to move the UK's clocks forward by an hour for a three-year trial period. |
| The Daylight Savings Bill would see the UK adopt Central European Time, with BST plus one hour in summer and GMT plus one in winter. | The Daylight Savings Bill would see the UK adopt Central European Time, with BST plus one hour in summer and GMT plus one in winter. |
| But Tory Christopher Chope said there was widespread opposition in Scotland and ignoring it would "give ammunition" to those seeking independence. | But Tory Christopher Chope said there was widespread opposition in Scotland and ignoring it would "give ammunition" to those seeking independence. |
| The debate has centred around the impact of a change on road accidents. | The debate has centred around the impact of a change on road accidents. |
| If adopted, the change would mean that for one autumn, the clocks would not go back, synchronising the UK with much of Europe and meaning that British Summer Time (BST) would effectively continue throughout the winter. | If adopted, the change would mean that for one autumn, the clocks would not go back, synchronising the UK with much of Europe and meaning that British Summer Time (BST) would effectively continue throughout the winter. |
| The following spring the clocks would go forward to BST plus one hour, or two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) - something which has been called "double summertime". | The following spring the clocks would go forward to BST plus one hour, or two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) - something which has been called "double summertime". |
| Sport and tourism | Sport and tourism |
| Advocates cite a range of benefits to lighter evenings, including promoting sports, exercise and tourism, and reducing energy consumption. | Advocates cite a range of benefits to lighter evenings, including promoting sports, exercise and tourism, and reducing energy consumption. |
| But for years the case in favour of change has struggled because of opposition in Scotland and northern England where it would leave some of the northern-most areas without daylight until 10am during the winter months. | But for years the case in favour of change has struggled because of opposition in Scotland and northern England where it would leave some of the northern-most areas without daylight until 10am during the winter months. |
| Critics say this would make the lives of outdoor workers harder and increase road accidents due to the darker mornings - although those in favour of a change argue it would reduce accidents in the evenings. | Critics say this would make the lives of outdoor workers harder and increase road accidents due to the darker mornings - although those in favour of a change argue it would reduce accidents in the evenings. |
| The trial is a Private Member's Bill proposed by Conservative MP Rebecca Harris. | The trial is a Private Member's Bill proposed by Conservative MP Rebecca Harris. |
| Mr Chope proposed an amendment to it suggesting that GMT should remain unchanged, but the clocks should go forward two hours in the summer, instead of one hour as at present. | Mr Chope proposed an amendment to it suggesting that GMT should remain unchanged, but the clocks should go forward two hours in the summer, instead of one hour as at present. |
| Independence 'ammunition' | Independence 'ammunition' |
| He said the bill's "Achilles' heel" was that it proposed a trial, despite Scottish opposition. | He said the bill's "Achilles' heel" was that it proposed a trial, despite Scottish opposition. |
| He said a requirement within it for the government to consult Scottish and Welsh ministers and obtain the agreement of Northern Ireland's first minister did not go far enough. | |
| "My concern is that if Parliament changes the time zone for the United Kingdom against the wishes of the people in Scotland that is going to give extra ammunition to those people in Scotland who are campaigning for an independent Scotland," he said. | |
| Mr Chope said there was no need for legislation because the government could carry out a study now "if there was the political will". | Mr Chope said there was no need for legislation because the government could carry out a study now "if there was the political will". |
| "I think we're in danger of embarking on a course that's going to waste an enormous amount of public money and time of government." | "I think we're in danger of embarking on a course that's going to waste an enormous amount of public money and time of government." |
| The Scottish National Party's Angus MacNeil said the bulk of Scottish opinion was against a change and "if there is any perception of high-handedness from Westminster we will probably see last week's figure of 1,000 new members for the SNP being dwarfed". | |
| But Labour MP Tom Harris backed a trial, saying: "The reason I'm supporting it is because I, as a Scottish MP, believe it will benefit my constituents, it will benefit my compatriots in Scotland and it is ridiculous and very dangerous to conjure up some kind of false division, some false sense of grievance. | |
| "This isn't about Scotland versus England, this is about looking at the evidence for a case for improving the lives of people throughout our nation." | |
| 'Parliament's duty' | 'Parliament's duty' |
| Many other MPs also argued in favour of passing the bill to allow a trial. | Many other MPs also argued in favour of passing the bill to allow a trial. |
| Conservative Bob Stewart said it was Parliament's "duty" to investigate any possible move that could reduce road deaths and injuries. | |
| Lib Dem John Leech said the evidence suggested that more accidents happen in the evenings that the mornings, so a change that could make a difference in the evenings was worth looking at. | Lib Dem John Leech said the evidence suggested that more accidents happen in the evenings that the mornings, so a change that could make a difference in the evenings was worth looking at. |
| But the SNP's Eilidh Whiteford said: "Road accidents are far less to do with the amount of daylight than other factors - the way people drive and the weather conditions, for example." | |
| The clocks were moved forward by an hour during World War II to maximise productivity at munitions factories and ensure people got home safely before the blackout. | The clocks were moved forward by an hour during World War II to maximise productivity at munitions factories and ensure people got home safely before the blackout. |
| From 1968 to 1971, a trial was held which saw BST employed all year round, and during that time Northern Scotland saw a net increase in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads. | From 1968 to 1971, a trial was held which saw BST employed all year round, and during that time Northern Scotland saw a net increase in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads. |
| A White Paper said it was impossible to quantify the advantages and disadvantages of the time change and so any prospect of continuing it was abandoned. | A White Paper said it was impossible to quantify the advantages and disadvantages of the time change and so any prospect of continuing it was abandoned. |
| The government has said any trial would need UK-wide consensus. | The government has said any trial would need UK-wide consensus. |