HC Deb 07 June 1976 vol 912 cc571-3W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what expenditure the Metrication Board incurred on advertising since 23rd March of this year.

Mr. John Fraser

The expenditure incurred by the Metrication Board on advertising since 23rd March 1976 is £500.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how many copies of the Metrication Board's report "Going Metric" have been sold.

Mr. John Fraser

The Metrication Board's Annual Report "Going Metric; Progress in 1975" has been available for sale since 13th April 1976. Her Majesty's Stationery Office has to date issued 1,520 copies to retail outlets but sales figures are not yet available.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection where the offices of the Metrication Board are situated; and what is their cost to public funds.

Mr. John Fraser

The Metrication Board's offices are at 22 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6LE. The costs of accommodation and rates are set out in Chapter 7 of the Report "Going Metric; Progress in 1975", a copy of which was sent to all hon. Members on 26th April 1976.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what has been the monthly current costs of running the Metrication Board for each month since 1st January 1976.

Mr. John Fraser

The monthly costs of the Board are not readily available and I regret that they cannot at this stage be provided without disproportionate cost. However, the average monthly cost of the board for the year 1975 was £76,170.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the current size of the staff employed by the Metrication Board; and what is the cost to public funds.

Mr. John Fraser

There are 60 staff employed by the Metrication Board. Precise staff costs are not available because of recent changes but an approximate figure is £195,000/year.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what change there has been in the size of the staff of the Metrication Board since 23rd March 1976.

Mr. John Fraser

Since 23rd March 1976 the number of staff of the Metrication Board has decreased by four.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will list the members of the Metrication Board and what salaries or fees they each receive.

Mr. John Fraser

Following is the information:—

Salary
£
Chairman (part-time)
Lord Orr-Ewing 4,665
Deputy Chairman (part-time)
Mr. J. M. Wood 2,577
Members (part-time)
Dr. M. A. Abrams 750
Dr. B. N. Baxter 750
Miss F. K. College 750
Mr. E. Cust 750
Mr. D. H. Darbishire 750
Mr. D. C. Dewar 750
Mr. J. M. Ferguson 750
Mr. D. Hobman 750
Miss D. D. Hyams 750
Mr. D. M. Landau 750
Professor M. L. McGlashan 750
Mr. H. P. Scanlon 750
Mrs. A. Stanley 750
Mrs. J. Upward 750

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the total cost to public funds of the Metrication Board.

Mr. John Fraser

The total cost of the Metrication Board from its inception in April 1969 to the end of 1975, the latest date for which figures are available, was approximately £3,842,000.

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