21 FEBRUARY 1969, Page 27

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Time and Motion to

Mr Hobgoblin, MP Dear Ted, 1 November 196- Anthony asked me to reply to the further letter from Mr Pixie which you sent him.

I am sorry Mr Pixie should have misunder- stood Anthony's reference to the power of- a Statute to diminish the life-span of an indi- vidual. Naturally I accept that provisions incorporating a capital penalty could, theoreti- cally, be included in a Calendar Reform Measure, though there are none in the Act re- cently passed. I hope you will convey our apologies to Mr Pixie for not making this absolutely clear.

Yours aye, HENRY

From Hansard : 20 November

MR noncoeuN: To ask the Secretary of State for Time and Motion whether he is aware of the widespread sense of loss arising from the recent Calendar reform, giving rise to the disability known as Omissional Neurosis; and why he has refused to receive a deputa- tion on this subject_ THE RT HON ANTHONY WRAITH: I am aware of a small number of cases in which this condition has been diagnosed. I am willing to receive a deputation if a date can be agreed.

MR HOBGOBLIN: That is a shameful and heart- less reply. Even if there are only a few cases, are they not lives wrecked by deliberate act of the Government? What is being done to compensate these victims of so-called pro- gress?

MR WRAITH: I am in touch with my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security on the health aspect.

MR BOGLE: Is the Secretary of State aware that the strongest exception is taken in Scot- land to this dictation from Whitehall about when Scottish festivals should be celebrated? What consultations have there been with Scottish opinion?

MR BANSHEE: rose—