§ THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what they propose to do about metrication.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)My Lords, a statement on behalf of the Government was made in another place by the then Minister of Technology on July 20. Your Lordships will also have noted the debate which took place there the day before yesterday. I have put down a Motion for debate by this House on November 11 next, and I would ask my noble friend to await my speech on that occasion.
§ THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERYMy Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that reply, and I am most happy to do what he suggests.
§ LORD WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, would not the noble Lord agree that Mr. Robert Boyle, the "father" of chemistry and uncle to the Earl of Cork, would have been rather surprised at any question being raised about the advantages technologically of what has been accepted for 150 years?
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, I am clearly not acquainted with that, and I am afraid that I cannot answer the question.