HC Deb 24 February 1873 vol 214 cc833-4
MR. J. B. SMITH

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether it be his intention during the present Session of Parliament to bring in a Bill to establish, after a fixed period, the use of metric weights and measures?

MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE,

in reply, said, that a Bill, if introduced by the Government, would not contain. provisions for the establishment of the system by way of compulsion, but would legalize its optional use in this country. The question, he might add, was one with regard to which there was considerable difference of opinion, and it would be premature at present to say whether he could bring in a Bill dealing with it this Session.