HC Deb 26 July 1972 vol 841 cc1791-2

Standing Order 1, line 86, at end insert: 'Where under Standing Orders 48 to 59 a length or distance is required to be stated, marked or described in Imperial measurements it may be stated, marked or described in metric measurements instead of Imperial measurements, in the case of measurements in miles, furlongs, chains or yards, to the nearest equivalent expressed in whole metres and, in the case of measurements in feet and inches or decimal parts of a foot, to the nearest equivalent expressed in metres (taken, where necessary, to two decimal places of a metre); and for the purposes of Standing Orders 50(1) and 52(4) distances from one of the termini of a railway, tramroad or tramway (as the case may be) may be marked at intervals of two hundred metres'.

Standing Order 31, line 2, leave out 'line of high water at ordinary spring tides' and insert 'level of mean high water springs'.

The first Amendment will give promoters of Private Bills the option of using metric measurements instead of imperial measurements in the plans, books of reference and other documents which they are required to deposit with certain Bills. I understand that many large engineering firms now work on a metric basis.

The second Amendment will remove the doubt about the exact meaning of the words "ordinary spring tides". The revised form brings the Standing Order into line with the definition used in the Admiralty tide tables. It has the approval of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Mr. Maude

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is the Motion debatable? If anyone wants to object to it, can it be stopped by saying "Object", or should the House be divided?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman is entitled to ask a question. He is not entitled to oppose the Motion at this stage. If he wishes to oppose it, it must be postponed for further consideration.

Mr. Maude

Object.

Mr. Speaker

Objection taken.