MPs have been urged to back a radical reorganisation of Britain's time system to save lives and boost tourism.
Former Tory environment minister Tim Yeo believes putting the country on Central European time - giving lighter evenings and darker mornings - would cut road deaths and serious injuries by 450 a year.
It could also bring an annual increase of £3bn in tourist-related revenues, and reduce electric bills by £485 million because people would need fewer lights.
Mr Yeo, MP for Suffolk South, launched a private member's bill at Westminster which would introduce a three year trial of GMT+2 in the summer and GMT+1 in the winter.
The move has the backing of bodies including the AA, Age Concern, the Tourism Alliance and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
However, Mr Yeo admitted the future of the Energy Saving (Daylight) Bill hung in the balance because it was not being supported by the Government.
He said ministers were nervous of endorsing the measure, which has been repeatedly raised by MPs and campaigners over the years, because of its perceived unpopularity in Scotland.
"My judgment is that the Government are not supporting it because of the reaction in Scotland. They are concerned about the May elections there.
"I've spoken to ministers at Defra privately who would be very strongly in favour... I think it's therefore the Scottish factor."
He suggested the new arrangements could be called Daylight Saving Time. The Bill's chances of success rest on at least 100 MPs being present to support it when it comes to be debated in the Commons on January 26.
