§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what consultations have taken place with producers and trade associations in preparation for metric conversion.
Mr. Alan WilliamsOne of the key factors leading to the introduction of the Weights and Measures Etc Bill has been the weight of representation from all sections of trade and industry.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what consultations have taken place with international bodies and consumer bodies on the metric system.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe United Kingdom has actively participated since 1884 in the work of the international body responsible for establishing the international SI metric system. More recently, in the Treaty of Accession to the EEC, the United Kingdom agreed to adopt metric units from April 1978 and to generally phase out imperial units by the end of 1979. Further and continuing discussions within EEC have resulted in some changes to the main directive in question but the basic commitment remains. Also in the international context we have closely followed the progress towards metrication in the traditional imperial unit countries, particularly Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.
Most consumer bodies have consistently shown a great interest in metrication and have long urged the Government to take powers to ensure that the changeover is completed in an orderly fashion, and in as short a period as possible. Both international developments and consumer opinion have been major factors leading to the introduction of the Weights and Measures Etc Bill.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the total estimated cost of conversion to the metric system.
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Mr. Alan WilliamsIn none of the countries which have changed over to metric has it been possible to estimate the costs or benefits of metrication. The same is true for this country. In many sectors the cost of conversion is already over, and the costs in the remaining sectors can be minimised if the changeover is properly co-ordinated to fit in with the plans of industry. This is one of the reasons why the Government have introduced the Weights and Measures Etc Bill.