Why changing the clocks could leave Yorkshire in the dark

Tourism chiefs claim scrapping GMT and bringing Britain in line with the rest of continental Europe will boost visitor numbers because of longer, lighter evenings.

But the coalition said the decision cannot be taken alone by England and Wales.

The Daylight Saving Bill being scrutinised by Parliament requires the Government to look at the benefits of shifting the clocks forward by an hour for all or part of the year.

Tourism minister John Penrose said today: “It’s something which the tourism industry has campaigned quite loudly for.”

But he added: “No progress would be made in this area without the agreement of all parts of the UK.

“It’s not something we would want to impose over the heads of the Scots or the Northern Irish.”

Mr Penrose was speaking at culture questions where Conservative Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) said: “It will not help North Yorkshire at all to be submerged in the dark and cold even later - and longer, darker mornings.

“I hope they will put an end to this consultation which won’t do anything for tourism in North Yorkshire.”