GUERNSEY reacted coolly yesterday to following Jersey in the pursuit of double summer time. Jersey chief minister Frank Walker has launched an investigation into whether it should move into line with European time for the summer months.

But tourism and business leaders in Guernsey did not think that it would bring any benefits.

In particular, there was a concern that it would have a major impact on the finance industry which deals extensively with London.

Senator Walker admitted that Jersey could not go it alone and would have to see if Guernsey would follow suit before taking a decision.

‘I think it would be a bit silly if one island was on one time and the other was on another,’ he said.

‘We would be including Guernsey at an appropriate point during discussions and decisions, but we would not expect Guernsey to follow, that is a matter for Guernsey to decide,’ he said.

But he said that any change was a long way off.

‘We are nowhere near making a decision. All we have agreed to do is look at the possibility. It is quite obvious proposed changes would be the subject of much discussion and change.’

If Senator Walker’s double summer time plan went ahead, it would mean the clocks going forward two hours in March instead of one and being put back by the same amount of time in October to Greenwich Mean Time.

Chris Sharp, the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce’s hospitality and tourism group, said that an extra hour of daylight in the evening would not attract more tourists.

‘I don’t think it would be of any benefit at all. All I would say is if they consider that most tourism comes from the UK, we already coincide with UK times and to change it would confuse them. Being in sync with the UK is fine, I can’t see any relevance in changing it,’ he said.

‘It makes no difference at all if Jersey wants to do it – that’s great but I don’t think it would affect Guernsey in any way. I don’t think it will ever happen anyway,’ he said.

Chamber of Commerce president Mark Trenchard said a time difference between Guernsey and the UK could cause problems with the finance industry and investment markets in London.

‘I think it’s a matter that’s been discussed on many occasions before. I don’t think that a Guernsey/Jersey difference would cause much of a problem. It is however a greater issue in terms of being in sync with the UK. It’s very important to identify what the big advantage is and look at the potential disadvantages,’ he said.

Mr Trenchard said he was doubtful such an action would be taken but it was important to include all industries in discussions.

‘There’s not going to be a clear answer. We would have to get businesses to contribute to the discussion,’ he said.

Agriculture would also be affected by an added hour of daylight and Farmers’ Association president Julian Ogier said he wouldn’t want things to change.

‘Certainly we’re not affected too much in the summer time – it’s not such a problem because it’s quite early already. I think we’d rather leave things as they are – farmers are not known for embracing change,’ he said.