HC Deb 05 March 1969 vol 779 cc412-3
25. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Technology if he will list the names of those already appointed to the Metrication Board.

Mr. Benn

I have appointed Lord Ritchie-Calder to be Chairman, and Lord Bessborough to be Deputy Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Osborn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the change-over to metrication is proceeding apace and that the burden of co-ordination is falling on the C.B.I. and the B.S.I.? Is this board now operative, since the longer the right hon. Gentleman spends setting it up the more confusion and complexities will arise?

Mr. Benn

I absolutely accept the need for speed. There is, of course, a conflict between the desirability of appointing the board early and the need for very wide consultations to be sure that it is really composed of the best possible people. I hope that the first meeting of the board will be this month. As the hon. Gentleman said, metrication is proceeding apace, in any case.