§ 32. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government to ratify all agreements on common international standards which are arrived at by international conferences in which United Kingdom representatives have taken part.
§ Mr. DarlingThe great majority of international standards are recommended by international organisations on which the United Kingdom is represented by the British Standards Institution and not by the Government. The decision on adoption therefore rests with the Institution. In the limited field of intergovernmental agreements on standards, it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to ratify agreements reached by conferences in which the United Kingdom has taken part unless there are strong reasons to the contrary.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this applies to many conventions? We, for example, are in breach of the International Telecommunications Convention, but we are also, I think, the only country in the world to classify bicycles which have 49 c.c. engines as motor bicycles. Is it Government policy to work towards not only ratifying but conformity with the conventions?
§ Mr. DarlingThe first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question should be addressed to the Postmaster-General who is in charge of this field of work. I understand that with regard to motor bicycles we are working very closely indeed with the appropriate international organisations. If there are any 1626 representations which the hon. Member cares to make on that point I shall be very glad to look at them.