HL Deb 05 March 1968 vol 289 cc1233-4

3.9 p.m.

LORD BROWN

My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper. This is a comparatively simple draft Order. The pharmaceutical industry has decided to change over at an early date from the use of the apothecaries series of weights to the use of the metric series in the dispensing and compounding of drugs. The Order, if approved, will add four small metric weights to the list of those which can be lawfully used for the trade. These additions will facilitate the weighing operations of pharmacists and assist them in changing over to the metric system. Continued use of the apothecaries series of weights is not, however, affected by this Order.

Moved, That the Draft Weights and Measures (Additional Metric Weights) Order 1968, laid before the House on 6th February, be approved.—(Lord Brown.)

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, may I ask a question on this Order? These new weights will come under Paragraph 5 of Part V of Schedule 3 to the 1963 Act, and paragraph 6 deals with carat weights. Is there any reason why the opportunity should not have been taken to include the same alteration with regard to the carat weight, which jumps from 2 carats to 5 carats?

LORD BROWN

My Lords, I think I am right in saying that the pharmacists deal in drachmas, scruples, and grains, and not in the other weights mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Drumalbyn. This is quite a specific request from the pharmacists. A general approach to metrication is not intended by this Order: that will come in another form later, probably not in the form of a separate Order.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, may I ask whether any specific arrangements will be made to keep these two measures apart? So far as I can see, the apothecaries weight contains grains, which is shortened to "gr." and the metric system contains grammes shortened to "g". It seems to me that, with the normal writing of the normal physician, there is room for a good deal of muddle, and possibly fatal consequences.

LORD BROWN

My Lords, the remarks of the noble Lord will be duly noted.

On Question, Motion agreed to