HC Deb 24 April 1967 vol 745 cc1131-2
16. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representations he has received from the building industry regarding the cost of the change to metric measurements; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

No representations on the cost of the change have been made to me. When preparing the timetable for the change, the B.S.I. sought comments from the industry but only a few of these indicated concern about cost.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

I welcome the switch to metric, but would not the Minister agree to give some consideration to some kind of financial assistance being given to the industry and to related pro- fessions, in the same way as the Chancellor is doing over decimalisation?

Mr. Prentice

The Government are making a grant to B.S.I. for the administrative costs of the change-over, as they are to other industries. We do not contemplate direct financial help to firms. I should have thought that it was generally recognised, and is recognised in the building industry, that this will bring great benefits in the form of greater efficiency and productivity. It is a very important step forward. It will pay the firms concerned, certainly in the long run, over and over again.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the Minister aware that his Department, with its immense purchasing power, can take the lead here? What is he doing to introduce the metric system in the houses that he purchases for occupation by Service families at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Prentice

I think I can say with due modesty that we have been taking a lead. The construction industry is the first industry to publish its programme. This is due both to people in my Department and to leading figures in the industry who have been involved with the B.S.I. committees in working out the programme. We shall certainly give a lead in terms of the programme the hon. Gentleman mentioned and, indeed, in all public programmes. The Government as a whole, in all their building programmes, will be adhering to this timetable, and we shall call on everyone else to do the same.