HC Deb 26 January 1970 vol 794 cc997-8
24. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Technology what advice he has now received from the Advisory Committee on Legal Units of Measurement on the need for a Standing Advisory Body on Units and Standards of Measurement in the place of the commission envisaged in the Weights and Measures Act, 1963.

Mr. Benn

The Committee has not yet been asked to consider this problem, but it will be invited to do so as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Committee itself will advise on the matters which were to be assigned to the Commission envisaged in the 1963 Act.

Mr. Osborn

As it is now some months since the Minister's statement on the subject and the Weights and Measures Department is now split between the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Technology, can we have some guidance on which Department will be responsible for future legislation, particularly on metrication—the Ministry of Technology or the Ministry of Technology and the Board of Trade?

Mr. Benn

The hon. Gentleman has followed this, and knows what has happened and why. Metrication was given to us to look after because of its importance in industrial standards. I do not believe that the residual responsibilities in the Board of Trade will be any barrier here. We are expecting advice from this body to reach us in time for legislation.