HC Deb 28 March 1973 vol 853 c1304
31. Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes that road signs should carry metric distance figures.

Mr. Peyton

I have nothing to add at this stage to paragraph 107 of the White Paper on Metrication. Command No. 4880.

Mr. Jones

Will the Minister sanction metric distance figures in Wales when road signs there become bilingual? Will this not save a lot of money, and will he allow Wales to take a lead in this matter?

Mr. Peyton

It is not within my responsibility or power to stop Wales taking a lead in any matter.

Mr. Redmond

Will the Minister ensure that no unnecessary expense is incurred in this way? Does he accept that road signs in metric terms might just as well be written in alternate words of Greek and Chinese so far as the public are concerned, and that there is no necessity for a change, nor is it desirable?

Mr. Peyton

I think that in part of his supplementary question my hon. Friend lent himself slightly to exaggeration.