20.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further representations he has received from farmers concerning the abolition of British Standard Time; and what replies he has sent.
No further representations have been received since the decision so wisely taken by the House on 2nd December, but that decision has, of course, been generally welcomed by the farming community.
I had, of course, tabled this Question before I knew the date of the debate. Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that many hon. Members on both sides of the House regard it as necessary only for G.M.T. to run from mid-November until mid-February to meet the farmers' point of view? If my hon. Friend finds that this point has general acceptance among fanners, may I ask him to make his own representations to the Home Secretary?
I think that it is extremely unlikely that practically any point will find general acceptance among many farmers.
Will the hon. Gentleman press the Home Secretary to have the time changed back at, say, the New Year so that people will realise what they are missing next year?
I am afraid that for once I must strongly disagree with one who has been my faithful pair for many years.