HC Deb 21 April 1969 vol 782 cc20-2
28. Mr. Henry Clark

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the decimalisation of speed limits, road signs, milestones, road maps, and speedometers on motor vehicles; what the cost of the change is estimated to be; and what increase in productivity will be achieved.

29. Sir Clive Bossom

asked the Minister of Transport what is the Government's policy regarding road signs being expressed in metric terms; and what is the estimated total cost of the changeover.

33. Mr. Costain

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the proposal to change the United Kingdom's method of measurement to kilometres in 1973, he will state the estimated cost of this conversion in transport matters.

42. Mr. Onslow

asked the Minister of Transport what further consultations he is undertaking in connection with his decision that road speed limits should be expressed in metric terms in 1973.

Mr. Awdry

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has made a study into the cost of altering traffic regulations and administrative procedures that will result from a change to the metric system.

Mr. Marsh

The Government have accepted 1975 as the target date for the change to the metric system in all sectors of the economy. Conversion in the transport field must be seen in this context.

I shall soon be consulting those concerned on how best to convert speed limit signs. I have already announced that these signs will be converted in 1973. The actual change-over will have to be made quickly. The preliminary estimate of cost is £1½–2 million. Conversion of other road signs, etc., will be spread over a period of time. I shall be consulting representative organisations on the timing and procedure to be adopted and on how to minimise both administrative and physical costs.

Mr. Clark

When one adds to that not inconsiderable total cost the bewilderment which drivers must inevitably suffer over a period of years, is it not quite clear that any attempt to carry the metric system into transportation is just a gimmick, and a further attempt by the Government to try to look trendy and "with it" in the computer age—rather unsuccessfully?

Mr. Marsh

First of all, there is no need for these initial changes to take place over a period of years. Secondly, once the decision to metricate generally by 1975 has been taken, I think that it would be even more bewildering to drivers and to the travelling public to find themselves faced with two systems.

Mr. Costain

Has the right hon. Gentleman given consideration to the alteration of marine charts? Does he appreciate that, for international reasons, the Pilots Association in this country is generally opposed to such alteration? Would the Minister reconsider this matter in the light of this representation?

Mr. Marsh

I will look closely at the items to which the hon. Gentleman has referred.

Mr. Onslow

What makes the Minister think that there is any logical connection between this area and other areas for decimalisation, and whose brain child was this daft idea anyhow?

Mr. Marsh

It has been round the world for a long time now. As to the general concept, one can have an argument against or an argument for metrication, but to say that we should submit our children to both systems for all eternity would be, I should have thought, most confusing.

Mr. Shinwell

This fantastic and grotesque conception arises from the frenzy to get into the Common Market. Has it not everything to do with going continental? I thought this thing had been abandoned.

Mr. Marsh

My right hon. Friend and I have had many discussions in other days on the Common Market, but this is not a question of going into the Common Market. The arguments for metrication generally are well known, and have been dealt with by the House. What the House has to consider is whether it wants to perpetuate two totally different and irreconcilable forms of measurement.