§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the further extension of metrication in (a) industry and (b) commerce; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardThe Government do not believe that the pace of metrication should be dictated by legally enforced timetables. These decisions are best left to the judgment of the enterprises involved which are in the best position to assess the costs and benefits.
Many manufacturers in the United Kingdom are now producing in metric sizes. It has always been recognised that some difficulties may arise in the retail sector, where metrication has a direct impact on the general public. However, the Government remain convinced that the policy of allowing trade and industry to dictate the pace of change to metric units is the right one.