Tories Keep Scottish Children in the Dark

Kerron Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 02:58:27 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

There may be many reasons why the Tories want to keep Scottish children in the dark (my mind particularly wanders back to the Thatcher years), but I am intrigued by Tory MP Tim Yeo's new Private Members Bill.

The Energy Saving (Daylight) Bill would advance the clocks across the UK by 1 hour, if it became law.

Can this be right?




Yeo's research claims that although there would be an increase in morning accidents this would be "far outweighed" by a "big fall" in evening accidents.

A ROSPA estimate shows that this "big fall" could be as much as 100 lives saved per year. (Yes, one hundred!) As Yeo admits later on in his literature.

Of course this Bill would mean that during Winter most of Scotland wouldn't see sunlight till about 9.30am/10am (by my anecdotal estimate) - meaning people like schoolchildren will travel in total darkness.

But when have the Tories cared about what effect their legislation has North of the border?

We live in enlightened times. I suggest we don't support the Bill - unless someone can give me some good reasons to the contrary?


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Tories Keep Scottish Children in the Dark | 2 comments (2 topical)

Re: Tories Keep Scottish Children in the Dark (#1)

by Andrea on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 03:28:19 PM GMT

2Tory MP Peter Yeo's new Private Members Bill"

I think you mean Tim Yeo, not Peter.


Re: Tories Keep Scottish Children in the Dark (#2)

by mwell on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:20:34 PM GMT

I believe that this legislation and its predecessors have long been opposed by the CWU as well, as the more of the working day spent in darkness, the greater the risk of deaths on the job. If the research backs this up it would be another reason for opposing.


Tories Keep Scottish Children in the Dark | 2 comments (2 topical)