asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the present position regarding the change to metric measurement in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Metric Measurement.
22.
Considerable progress has been made in the change-over and it could be said that most of the economy is now metric, in some sectors exclusively and in others on the basis that it is a freely available alternative to the imperial system. We should have no difficulty in complying with the EEC Directive on Units of Measure which imposes the metric system from the end of 1977 with some extensions to end in 1979 and the possibility of some limited extensions after that. A survey of industry in 1974 showed that 52 per cent of firms were then mainly metric, and a similar survey now in progress is showing a considerable advance on this. The results will be published within the next two months or so. Apart from industry such areas as education, State purchasing, and the work of State and local authorities generally are mainly metric. Distributors and consumers have had the benefit of a special committee for some years, and a great deal of promotional material made available which has had a considerable effect. Methods of helping the consumer in this are constantly under review.