Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made or is planned in the aircraft industry in adopting metric units of weight and measurement.
§ Mr. OnslowAs explained in the White Paper on Metrication, Cmnd. 4880, new designs for military aircraft are now expressed in metric terms, and aero engine design is substantially metricated. For reasons connected with the present United States operational requirements, civil air-frames are still designed substantially in imperial: this will change as soon as it becomes commercially advantageous to do so.
Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made or is planned in the 16W computer construction industry in adopting metric units of weight and measurement.
§ Mr. OnslowThe United Kingdom controlled part of the British computer industry follows the standards of the European Computer Manufacturers Association, ISO and BSI. However, the dominance of the American manufacturers who are not specifically following a policy of metrication is such that in many instances imperial dimensions have to be retained although as far as possible such measurements are expressed in dual metric-imperial units.
Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made or is planned in the oil and petrochemical industry in adopting metric units of weight and measurement.
§ Mr. OnslowThe oil industry's progress so far has been in line with its adopted programme designed to complete most aspects of metrication by the end of 1975 with the exception of the conversion of retail petrol pumps which it now has under review, postponing completion to a date not yet agreed.