§ The Earl of KINNOULLMy 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 is the estimated cost of changing officially from miles to kilometres on our road system, and whether such action is likely this calendar year.
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, an estimate of the cost of converting traffic signs in the United Kingdom is between £7½ million and £8½ million at current prices. No action will be taken during 1978 to substitute kilometres for miles on our traffic signs and such a move would be preceded by extensive consultation, followed by a planning period of about five years. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport has recently made it clear that he is not contemplating any change for a long time.
§ The Earl of KINNOULLMy Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for that assurance, may I ask her to confirm whether Her Majesty's Government are under an obligation to the EEC to produce a review by 1979, what evidence they are taking for that review, and what attitude they are taking towards the merits of the case?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, the original Directive on the metric system in 1971 required its adoption in five years. After our accession to the Community, the Directive was again amended and, as it now reads, it shall be reviewed before 31st December, 1979. There is an expectation, on behalf of the EEC, that the 574 United Kingdom will make reasonable efforts to phase out the mile as soon as possible after that date and that a final date will be fixed; but there is no written understanding which goes beyond the terms of the Directive. My Secretary of State has already said that he will have very extensive consultations before anything is done and he anticipates that it will not be done for at least another five years.
§ Lord SEGALMy Lords, in the meantime, would my noble friend perhaps consider issuing a directive to local authorities saying that at least the number of miles might be recorded on any new road signs which are erected, because many of them seem totally deficient in giving any indication of the distance between one place and another?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, I am not sure whether it is within our powers to issue such a directive. Our estimate has been derived from considering that all the speed limit signs would have to be changed in one operation and that the informatory distance signs would be changed during the period of normal maintenance; but I do not think I could give an assurance that we would send out a suggestion such as that made by my noble friend.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, will the noble Baroness undertake to alter English literature; for example, will it be three score and ten kilometres to Babylon, and half a kilometre, half a kilometre, half a kilometre onwards?