Rebecca Harris was elected MP for Castle Point in Essex at the general election and is promoting the Daylight Saving Bill after being drawn fourth in the Private Member's Bill ballot.
In the run-up to the changing of the clocks last night, there's been more debate than usual about whether we should stop moving to GMT in winter but move forward by one hour throughout the year.
This is what my Private Member's Bill is about - putting a requirement on Government to carry out a proper cross-departmental study of the pros and cons of this proposal, and, if the balance of advantage is in favour for the whole of Britain, carry out a three year trial.
This, I know, is not a new proposal. The whole question of using our daylight hours most effectively has a long history in this country and elsewhere. The difference this time, I believe, is the growing number of diverse groups and organisations calling for change.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and all the road safety organisations conclude that it will save up to 80 lives from fatal road accidents and prevent many more serious injuries, by adding more daylight to the busier afternoon rush hour. Tourism organisations believe it will increase tourist revenues by as much as £4 billion and create up to 80,000 jobs in the industry, by extending the season and letting attractions stay open an hour longer every day. Environmentalists like Lighter Later and Green Peace say that less use of electric light during the evening peak time will not only reduce energy bills but also help us meet our carbon emission targets.
Over three hundred sporting organisations including the FA and the Lawn Tennis Association believe the extra hour of evening daylight will increase participation in sport and improve our health (and who knows, it might even improve our national team). SAGA and Age UK believe the change will add to the quality of life of older people, who are more confident to go out during daylight hours. Finally, police chiefs believe that more daylight hours in the evenings will reduce crime and fear of crime.
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