HC Deb 09 December 1970 vol 808 cc417-8

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

52. Mr. WARREN

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the estimated cost involved in alterations to vehicles and road signs of all kinds if metric distance and speed measurements are introduced into this country.

The Minister for Transport Industries (Mr. John Peyton)

With permission, I will now answer Question No. 52.

Nearly £2 million for speed limit signs: the Government have however decided that speed limits will not be made metric in 1973 and have no alternative date in mind.

Mr. John Page

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Even illumination carried by the hon. Member does not take precedence over the name of the questioner on the Order Paper.

Mr. Warren

I very much welcome my right hon. Friend's statement, because we were beginning to run pell-mell towards metric mania, which the general public does not like and does not want.

Mr. Peyton

I am very sorry to hear that my hon. Friend was running pell-mell to anywhere, but I am glad that he is relieved.

Mr. John Page

May I also congratulate my right hon. Friend on showing that the Government are really going on at a mile a minute, as opposed to their predecessors. Is he aware that the ordinary people of the country are delighted to hear that their views are being listened to by the Government?

Mr. Peyton

I am grateful to my hon. Friend.