§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will make a statement on the future of the metrication programme.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe Government have in recent weeks engaged in extensive consultations with groups representing commerce, industry and the consumer about the future policy towards metrication. The move to metrication has been progressing for the last 13 years and has been supported by successive Governments. The main reason for the change has been to enable industry to rationalise its production, recognising that virtually all the United Kingdom's international trade is with countries which are metric or are changing to the metric system. The eductional system is now directed towards the sole use of metric units.
As a result of its consultations, the Government are confirmed in their view that it is desirable to move to metrication as a single form of measurement in the retail sector and that this should be achieved on the basis of an orderly timetable. Nevertheless the Government are conscious that there is some apprehension about the prospects of legal sanctions against retailers who do not apply the metric units after prescribed dates.
The Government have, therefore, decided that they will not proceed with orders which impose statutory cut-off dates for the use of imperial units at point of retail sale. These include the Weights and Measures Act 1963 (Hardware, Textiles and Floor Coverings) (Restrictions on Imperial Units) Order 1978 and the Weights and Measures Act 1963 (Weighed-out Foodstuffs) (Restrictions on Imperial Units) Order 1978. The Government will introduce further metrication orders which enable goods to be sold in metric units, such as the Weights and Measures Act 1963 (Potatoes) Order 1978 which will be considered in Standing Committee and in the House of Lords tomorrow. We shall also, in consultation with industry, promote orders which maintain progress towards metrication of prescribed quantity pre-packed goods. An amended version of 125W the Weights and Measures Act 1963 (Various Goods) (Termination of Imperial Quantities) Order 1978 will be laid without inclusion of penalties on retailers who continue to sell in imperial prescribed quantities.
The Government hope that the use of metric units at the retail level will be achieved on a voluntary basis with broadly the same target dates as currently envisaged. Without such an orderly changeover the interests of the consumer would suffer. In order to assist in this voluntary changeover the Government will be assisting in the provision of information for the consumer, including the display of price comparisons for metric and imperial units. We also propose to establish a metrication monitoring unit to deal with any complaints and to act as additional protection for the consumer. The Standing Reference to the Price Commission on Metrication will be maintained to ensure and demonstrate that metrication does not raise prices. The Government will also look to the Metrication Board to continue its assistance with the provision of information on metrication, and to co-ordinate the voluntary changeover and to monitor its effectiveness.