§ 14. Mr. Molloyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the initial effects of decimalisation on matters for which his Department is responsible.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. Nicholas Ridley)Yes, Sir. It went very well.
§ Mr. MolloyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that he is probably the only person in the country who agrees with that reply? Is he further aware that the general scheme in which five digits were to be rounded up and five rounded down ended up with ten being rounded up, and that when the public complained to shopkeepers, the shopkeepers, after acknowledging that there had been an unjustified rise, blamed the wholesalers? Is not the acid test the fact that old-age pensioners are finding it much more difficult to make ends meet? Would he be prepared to have discussions with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services to give an interim award to old-age pensioners and to examine the whole question of prices with some sincerity—in spite of the fact that we are well aware how touchy the Government are about dealing with prices?
§ Mr. RidleyMy Department has received no complaints relating to decimalisation on those matters for which we are responsible. That entirely belies the waffle just put out by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. John HallCould my hon. Friend confirm—apart from the question of decimalisation—that we shall not see the introduction of metrication without the consent of the House?
§ Mr. RidleyMy hon. Friend knows that the Government will publish a White Paper, and we hope to take the House along with us in the policy outlined in that White Paper.
§ Mr. LiptonCould the hon. Gentleman say when the new half-penny will be taken out of circulation, since most people are fed up with it already?
§ Mr. RidleyThat is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.