Any move to alter the United Kingdom’s clocks could strengthen demands for Scottish independence, a veteran Tory has warned.

... that is going to give extra ammunition to those people who are campaigning for an independent Scotland

Legislation which could pave the way for the clocks to be put forward by an hour all year round for a trial period was facing its final Commons hurdle today.

But the Daylight Saving Bill faces opposition from a number of MPs and the government has insisted any move to Central European Time – dubbed “Berlin Time” by its critics – would not go ahead unless there was agreement with the devolved countries in the United Kingdom.

The Bill is being taken through Parliament by Tory Rebecca Harris representing Castle Point, Essex, but has been given backing by the government.

It would allow for a study into the benefits of moving the clocks forward by an hour, meaning lighter winter evenings, which supporters claim would cut road deaths, boost tourism and reduce energy use.

This could be followed by a three year trial time shift of having the clocks at Greenwich Mean Time plus one (GMT +1) in the winter and GMT +2 in the summer.

But any change is likely to face opposition from many who do not relish the prospect of an extra hour of darkness in the morning, a problem particularly affecting northern parts of the United Kingdom.

Speaking at the Bill’s report stage, Tory Christopher Chope (Christchurch) said “the Achilles heel” of the legislation was that it enabled the United Kingdom government to change the time zone in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament. The Bill requires the government to consult Scottish and Welsh ministers and obtain the agreement of the Northern Irish first and deputy first ministers, but Mr Chope said that did not go far enough.

“We know that the Scottish Parliament and MPs representing Scottish constituencies in this House, do not support a change that would make winter mornings in Scotland even colder and darker than they are already,” he said. Mr Chope added: “If this Parliament changes the time zone for the UK against the wishes of the people of Scotland, that is going to give extra ammunition to those people who are campaigning for an independent Scotland.

“That’s my concern, I think we would be playing into the hands of those who want Scottish independence if we force this Bill through.”

The Scottish National Party’s Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) said: “If there is any perception of high-handedness from Westminster we will probably see last week’s figure of 1,000 new members for the SNP being dwarfed.”

In a sign of wider discontent with the Bill, Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg (NE Somerset) has tabled amendments to give Somerset the power to set its own time zone and Philip Davies (C, Shipley) called for any trial to be made under legislation called a “Berlin Time order”.

Referring to road accidents, SNP Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) said: “Road accidents are far less to do with the amount of daylight than other factors – the way people drive and the weather conditions, for example.”

Tory Bob Stewart (Beckenham) spoke in favour of looking at the issue.

He said: “If there is evidence – and there seems to be evidence – that if we change the way we run our clocks we’re going to save lives – and according to the London estimate that’s six less deaths and 23 less severe injuries a year – if that’s the case, we have a duty to have a look at actually how we manage our time, that is our responsibility as a Parliament.”

Addressing Mr Chope, Lib Dem John Leech (Manchester Withington) said: “Would he just not accept that the largest number of accidents happen at the period of the day that would benefit most by the change in the time zones?”

Tory Charlotte Leslie (Bristol North West) also voiced support for a review.

She said: “Since there’s dispute over the results of the previous review, and since this debate keeps on and on turning to a debate about the evidence either way, that’s even more need for us to have a proper review, with proper evidence which we can then debate.”