§ 6. Mr. G. Darlingasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Bill to amend the Weights and Measures Acts, which has been, or is being, prepared, will include proposals for adopting the metric system, as recommended by the Hodgson Committee.
§ Mr. ErrollI cannot anticipate the contents of the Bill. As regards the adoption of the metric system, I have nothing to add to the Answers I gave to the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) on 16th May.
§ Mr. DarlingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I heard that unsatisfactory Answer, and that is why I left this Question on the Order Paper? Is he aware 1367 that this is a great opportunity, not only to carry out the reform suggested by the Hodgson Committee, but also to place ourselves in line with the European market? Is the hon. Gentleman also aware that quite a lot of trade is still being lost to this country because manufacturers still quote in measurements and weights that are in a form that cannot be understood by their potential customers?
§ Mr. ErrollWe are aware of that argument, and we are studying it, but we are far from convinced that we are losing any substantial volume of trade by adhering to the Imperial system.
§ Mr. OrbachCan we have any idea when the Bill is to be presented to the House? I asked a question about four years ago, when I was told that it would be presented almost immediately.
§ Mr. ErrollIt will be presented as soon as Parliamentary time permits.