§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what progress is being made in planning the 206W change to the metric system in the construction industry.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe British Standards Institution will tomorrow publish a programme for the change to the metric system in the construction industry.
In 1965, the Government asked the B.S.I. to co-ordinate the change to the metric system in all industries, and construction is the first industry to draw up an agreed timetable. This is a notable achievement and the B.S.I. and the industry are to be congratulated on their initiative. I have written to the B.S.I. indicating that the Government supports the programme, will adhere to it in its own work, and will advise and encourage other authorities in the public sector to do the same.