§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give details of the directive from the European Economic Community regarding the adoption by the countries of the Community of a universal metric system on weights and measures by 1976; to what extent this will affect Great Britain; to what extent the Government's original estimate that metrication will cost Great Britain £500,000,000 will have to be adjusted; and whether he is now able to publish the Government's White Paper on this subject which was promised in October, 1970.
§ Mr. John DaviesAs I have told the hon. Member in reply to his earlier Question today, a translation of this directive is now published. Details of its effect on the United Kingdom will be given in the forthcoming White Paper on Metrication, but I would stress that the estimate of the cost of metrication quoted by the hon. Member does not emanate from the Government.