§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Ashfield, 23rd March, Official Report, col. 652, why, if he is completely satisfied that there is general support for the change to metric units from imperial units amongst consumers and trade organisations, he has now found it necessary to write to more than a hundred organisation 654W asking them whether they still want to go ahead with metrication.
§ Mr. John FraserI thought it right to do so because the Opposition, having in government accepted the commitment to metrication, having welcomed statutory cut-off orders, and having told the Government that mandatory dates were required on a sector by sector basis, eventually decided to oppose the latest proposals in principle. In view of this change in the political background I considered that organisations should have the opportunity to confirm whether their previous views still apply. I regard the views of these organisations as important because they have given serious consideration to the subject, which affects the lives and livelihoods of the members which they represent.