HC Deb 13 November 1952 vol 507 cc1102-3
18. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent consideration has been given to the metric system for the benefit of British trade.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

As I announced in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for the Cities of London and Westminster (Sir H. Webbe) on Tuesday last, I have decided that I cannot accept the recommendation that the Imperial system of weights and measures should be abolished in favour of the metric system.

Mr. Hynd

Will the right hon. Gentleman please not close his mind on this matter, and at any rate bear it in mind as a possible part of a long-term solution of some of our international trade difficulties?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am also impressed by the very considerable dislocation that would take place in commerce and industry during any change over.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it would make a useful contribution towards the metric system if he persuaded the Chancellor to abolish half-crowns and have 10 pennies to the shilling?