HC Deb 25 May 1978 vol 950 c683W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what changes he plans to make in the number of people employed by the Metrication Board following his statement that metrication will now proceed on voluntary lines.

Mr. John Fraser

Plans to run down the number of staff of the Board are being reconsidered now that the emphasis is on a voluntary change at the retail level.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what has been the total amount of public funds spent on the promotion of metrication prior to his statement that metrication will now proceed on voluntary lines.

Mr. John Fraser

The Metrication Board's current terms of reference are to facilitate the transition to metric weights and measures, to make generally available information and advice on the co-ordination of timetables and to furnish such information as the Board may think useful for familiarising the public with the metric system. From the Board's establishment in 1969 until the end of 1977 the Board's total costs were approximately £6,224,000, of which £3,139,000 was spent on information.