}
XCR(76) 104
4
+ 2
viestub má
The Secretary for Home Affairs has reported that a recent sample survey of 100 households (of which 83 were also consulted in a similar survey in October 1974) conducted by the Home
Affairs Department showed that the great majority (93%) now preferred a fixed time system, with a clear leaning towards standard time (i,e. GMT +8). This finding was corroborated by the results of a separate exercise involving about 300 people who are likely to be affected by permanent summer time, including students, factory workers on early shift duty and restaurant fokis. As far as students are concerned, the Director of Education has been consulted and has confirmed that, in the event of permanent summer time being adopted, he would be prepared sympathetically to consider an adjustment of school hours if so requested by school authorities
6
To sum up, there now seems to be increasing and majority public support for a fixed time system, although indications are that the majority favour GMT+8. Notwithstanding this, the Government's view is that the man in the street has probably not fully appreciated the advantages of adopting a permanent GMT + 9 system over a permanent GMT + 8 system, as explained in paragraph 14 of Annex A. In this connection it must be recalled that:
(a)
(b)
very few, if any, of the present Hong Kong- public have experienced the effects of standard time in the summer, with its relatively early, onset of darkness in the evening. If and when this were to happen the reactions of the majority would most likely be adverse;
most countries who have opted for a fixed time. system, including those in a significantly more northerly latitude than Hong Kong (e. g. France, Switzerland) have done so on the basis of
summer time rather than standard time, in view of the advantages to be had,
In view of all these arguments, therefore, it is still considered that a permanent time system of GMT + 9 hours should: be adopted in Hong Kong and that, once this was introduced, thei„... Fin general public would soon adapt to the situation as they did in the oil crisis in 1973/74.