HC Deb 27 July 1983 vol 46 c1178
12. Mr. John Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about progress towards metrication and its effect on trade abroad and within the United Kingdom.

Mr. Fletcher

It is the Government's firm belief that individual sectors of industry or organisations are best placed to decide on the benefits and the timing of the changeover. I am not aware of any evidence to suggest that the policy of voluntary metrication, which the Government have pursued over the past four years, has had any adverse effect on trade.

Mr. Fraser

Does not the Minister agree that it makes trading, industrial and educational sense to move gradually but certainly towards one system of weights and measures? For example, the system of selling petrol in one garage by the litre and in another by the gallon makes no long-term industrial or commercial sense. Surely it is the duty of a commercial Department to give a commercial lead.

Mr. Fletcher

I disagree with the hon: Gentleman, specifically on petrol and on the Government's duty to give a lead. The Government have facilitated the changeover to the metric system, but we believe that it should remain on a voluntary basis and that individual sectors of industry and consumers should have a strong say as to which system they operate.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of the companies that make the machines that measure petrol or other products feel that they are handicapped by the Department being too slow in its certification of new machines and too expensive in the fees that it charges? In view of the severe competition that the weighing and scale machine industry is facing, will he consider the possibility of self-certification and privatisation?

Mr. Fletcher

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising both those points. I plan to visit one of our largest manufacturers of weighing equipment in the next few months, and I shall then learn more about the problems of the industry. I shall also take into account the points that my hon. Friend has raised.