§ Mr. Farrasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of running the Metrication Board in each of the last three available years; and when its activities will be wound up.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI have been asked to reply.
Details of the cost of the board are published each year in the board's annual report. The total cost in each of the last three calendar years has been: 1974—££655,000; 1973—£678,000; 1972—£645,000. The board was set up to facilitate the transition to the metric system in the United Kingdom and its work will continue until the metrication programme has been substantially completed.