Metrication

HC Deb 03 May 1978 vol 949 cc227-8

15. Mr. Mawby

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made on his consultations preparatory to a change-over from miles to kilometres.

Mr. William Rodgers

None, Sir. As I have previously told the House, I am planning no such consultations in the near future.

Mr. Mawby

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Has he estimated the cost of changing speed limit and information signs? Has he taken into account the fact that although the ordinary motorist here understands what the sign "30" means, if there were to be a sign "50" the letters "km", at least, would have to be included? In view of that, would it not be best to leave the whole thing alone?

Mr. Rodgers

I am one of those who enjoy kilometres abroad and miles in the United Kingdom. That might be the view of the House. I am not looking into the detailed matters to which the hon. Mem- ber rightly refers because it would be unreasonable and unnecessary to do so, at least until after the consultation has taken place.

Mr. Molloy

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that millions of ordinary British people also enjoy kilometres abroad but prefer miles at home? Has he considered what effect such a change could have on the export of cars to Australia, the United States, New Zealand and many other parts of the world? Could not this have a deleterious effect? Does he agree that we should not sacrifice everything in response to every demand from the Common Market Commission?

Mr. Rodgers

We should adopt a reasonably relaxed approach to this matter. I have expressed my preference and I think that I know the preference of most hon. Members, but we must recognise that other people, particularly the younger generation, who are not as stuffy about such matters as some of us tend to be, may look at it differently. We can look at this in due course. There is no need to bother about it today.

Mr. Stokes

Does the Secretary of State agree that those of us who were in favour of our entry to the European Community are, nevertheless, distressed that on many vital English matters we have to change our old names and go in for these new-fangled names from the Continent? Surely we want to keep our old English mile.

Mr. Rodgers

I know that many people want to keep our old English everything. That does not mean that we should never change. But we need not worry about it too much at the moment. The consultations have not begun, and at the end of the day Parliament will decide.