HC Deb 21 December 1967 vol 756 cc525-6W
Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what discussions he is holding with other Western European Governments about joint modular co-ordination to standard European measurements; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Costain

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what studies he has commissioned into the export potential of building components standards to an agreed European module; who is carrying out those studies; when they will be finalised; and whether the report will be published.

Mr. Mellish:

The Government play a vigorous part in the established organs for international liaison in this field, especially the committees of the Economic Commission for Europe, the International Standards Organisation and the International Council for Building Research, Studies and Documentation. We are working for the establishment of international standards which will facilitate trade in building components. So far as new products are concerned, the Agrément Board's membership of the European Union of Agrément will have the same effect.

I am holding a meeting of building material producers, contractors and consultants early in the New Year to discuss export opportunities.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works by what date he expects that the standardisation of building components will be fully achieved on the basis of an agreed module to standard tolerances.

Mr. Costain

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how long the period of overlap will be between imperial and metric design buildings in the time scale for the change to metric published by the British Standards Institution and accepted by his Department; and what steps he is taking to minimize it.

Mr. Mellish:

The British Standards Institution programme for the change to metric measurement allows a period of three years up to 1972 for main and subcontractors to change to construction based on metric drawings and documents. During the same period of three years, manufacturers of building components are to change to production of metric dimensionally-co-ordinated products. In both cases the programme also allows that residual changes will probably continue during a further year. Once the changeover to metric measurement begins I am sure that all concerned will wish to complete it as quickly as possible.

To achieve this programme will require the fullest commitment of all the available resources in B.S.I., the Government, and other bodies affected, including manufacturers and research bodies. The first aim is to achieve dimensional co-ordination on the basis laid down in BS 4011; but standardisation through full performance specifications will be a continuing process. There are a number of subjects on which further research is required, including tolerances.