§ 13. Mr. Liptonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now recommend the adoption of a decimal system of currency and a metric standard of weights and measures.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that six years ago the Hodgson Committee very strongly recommended in favour of a metric standard? In view of the approaching possibilities of a European Common Market, is it not all the more urgent that something should be done to introduce a metric system, coupled, of course, with a decimal system of coinage?
§ Mr. ErrollThe Government are not prepared now to recommend the changes proposed in this Report, but we are noting the arguments which are being put forward at present, particularly with reference to the proposed Free Trade Area.
§ Mr. J. HarveyLeaving aside the question of a European Common Market, is my hon. Friend aware that there is a problem here over the increased mechanisation in this country? Some hon. Members saw a machine only last week which can work in units of five for the packaging of food, which has great difficulty in finding out how to package 14 lb. for the English stone.
§ Mr. ErrollThat is one of the new arguments being put to us at present.
Mr. UsbomeIs there not an extremely easy way of decimalising our currency, involving only one legislative act? If ten pennies were made to equal Is. and if we gave up using the £ note and ten separate shillings equalled a 10s. note and ten ten shilling notes equalled a fiver, we could decimalise our system.
§ Mr. ErrollMatters appertaining to currency are for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but as the Financial Secretary to the Treasury is by my side on the Front Bench I am sure that he is taking note of the suggestions.