70. Mr. M. BARLOWasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the introduction of decimal coinage and the metric system is under the contemplation of the Board; and whether in view of the advantage to the internal and external trade of the country, he will consider the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the matter and make recommendations?
Mr. HARCOURTThe use of the metric system of weights and measures has been lawful since the passing of the Weights and Measures (Metric System) Act, 1897. Its compulsory use is not under contemplation by the Board of Trade, and I doubt the desirability of appointing a Committee with special reference to the 1869 question. The introduction of a system of decimal coinage is primarily a matter for the Treasury.