§ Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations have been received from British seamen and yachtsmen to change the existing system of measurement at sea used in most parts of the English speaking world to a metric system; and what replies he has sent.
§ Dr. David OwenI am not aware of such representations but the Government have consulted a large number of organisations about a change from the British Nautical Mile to the International Nautical Mile of 1,852 metres. The general reaction was favourable. Admiralty charts are already being published showing depths in metres instead of fathoms.