HC Deb 15 December 1971 vol 828 c457
32. Mr. Carol Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the names of those serving on his committee on the Ordnance Survey; and whether he has yet received their report.

Mr. Peter Walker

The committee which has inquired into the organisation and operation of the Ordnance Survey was composed entirely of officials. In accordance with the usual practice I will not state their names. I have received the committee's report and I am considering the recommendations.

Mr. Johnson

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Will he give an assurance that in any consideration of the future of the Ordnance Survey there is no intention to hive off any section of it, particularly on the map publishing side, and selling it to private interests?

Mr. Walker

I visited the Ordnance Survey recently and was impressed by the work and spirit of the organisation. The object of this was to look into its management structure and how it could be improved.

Mr. Costain

Will this committee have power to consider the problem of the building industry's conversion to the metric system and the difficulties of using metric measurements for buildings on imperial land surveys?

Mr. Walker

This is a problem which the Ordnance Survey people themselves are considering.