In January I sent something about the latest attempt to change the clocks in the UK: MP Rebecca Harris' Daylight Saving Bill (a private members' Bill). If passed, this Bill might result in the UK moving the clocks forward an hour so we match most of Europe. The Bill is still waiting for its committee stage, the next stage of its passage though Parliament. Today the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills issued a press release saying they will be tabling amendments to the Bill, with the implication that if passed, the government might support it. The main thing mentioned is a requirement to consult the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, and to get the agreement of the Northern Ireland administration. There is also mention of changing the Bill's independent commission (that would assess the study that the Bill proposes) into an independent oversight group that would advise the government. The amendments haven't appeared on the Bill's pages on the Parliament website yet, but they look like wrecking amendments to me, rather than any evidence of the government changing its mind. The chances of the Scottish government agreeing to this are very low as polls have always shown most Scots are against advancing the clocks. The change from the commission to an oversight group looks like an attempt to change it into something the government can ignore, whatever it reports. The press release says the Bill's committee stage is expected in early November so something should happen soon. The press release is at <http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=421778&NewsAreaID=2> and the Bill's main page is at <http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/daylightsaving.html>. -- Peter Ilieve peter@aldie.co.uk