HC Deb 06 May 1968 vol 764 cc19-20
23. Mr. John Hall

asked the Minister of Technology what is his present estimate of the total cost of introducing decimal currency and changing to the metric system.

Dr. Bray

The Treasury, which is the Department responsible, expects that the measureable cost of introducing decimal currency in 1971 will be less than the £128 million originally estimated by the Halsbury Committee for a change in 1970.

The total cost of changeover to the metric system by United Kingdom industry cannot be estimated with any accuracy. It will in any case be widely distributed and spread over a period of some six to seven years. Individual industrial sectors will be in a better position to estimate the demands of metrication on their resources when their particular conversion programmes have been formulated.

Mr. Hall

Is it not clear that the sum involved is very considerable indeed against the background of the present economic situation and, bearing in mind that decimalisation always leads to increased prices, should not the hon. Gentleman look at the project again and postpone it for the time being?

Dr. Bray

The Question relates both to decimalisation and metrication. Once one has gone a certain distance along the line with either process, it can become more expensive to go back than to go on. The construction industry is heavily committed to metrication and it would be a mistake to go back at present.

24. Mr. John Hall

asked the Minister of Technology what representations have been made to him by the Construction Industry Metric Change Liaison Group about the need for an early statement of Government policy on a programme for metric change; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Bray

We have received no representations of this kind. Programmes for converting to the metric system in general engineering industry are now being prepared and that for the construction industry was published in February last year. We are aware of views recently expressed by industry that metrication should be extended on a co-ordinated basis to the country as a whole and hope to receive recommendations on this question shortly from the Standing Joint Committee on Metrication on which the construction industry is represented.

Mr. Hall

Is the Minister not aware that there is confusion in the industry as to the Government's intentions? Will he deny or confirm that it is the intention of the Government to use their very considerable buying powers to compel industry to switch to the metric system whether it wishes to do so or not? Will he say whether there has been Parliamentary sanction for requiring industry to switch to the metric system?

Dr. Bray

The question of the Government's function is secondary to that of the industry which has taken the initiative. It is certainly for the Government to amend legislation where this refers to non-metric units, but the basic initiative has been taken by the industry.