Weights and Measures (Hansard, 23 July 1999)

§ Dr. Howells

I have today placed in the Library of the House a report by my Department on the adoption of the International System of Units—the modern version of the metric system. Copies of the report are available from the Vote Office.

Since 1965, successive Administrations have promoted the use of metric weights and measures in order to assist industry to compete in an increasingly metric global market. The debate since 1965 has been about the pace and timing of the change from imperial to metric units for specific purposes.

Metrication is now under way in the United States. Other Commonwealth countries have gone metric. The metric system has been taught in our schools since 1974. Metric units are now used by the public sector for most purposes.

The retail sector has adopted metric weights and measures gradually, for an ever-increasing range of goods. Today, more than 90 per cent. of consumer goods sold by weight or measure are sold in metric units. Under 681W legislation made in 1994, goods sold loose by weight—mainly fresh food—must be priced and weighed in grams and kilograms after 31 December 1999.

I am pleased to be able to announce that in response to representations from the Government and others, the European Commission has proposed that non-metric units may be used alongside metric units until 31 December 2009, pending completion of the US metrication programme. This will enable UK manufacturers and retailers, who wish to do so, to dual mark quantity and price in metric and imperial units over the next ten years. Retailers can continue to display the price per imperial unit alongside the price per metric unit. Consumers can continue to express in ounces and pounds the quantity they wish to buy. Retailers will weigh out the equivalent quantity in grams and kilograms.

The supermarket chains, which account for 80 per cent. of sales of loose goods, have started selling loose goods in metric weights. To assist small retailers and their customers with the change, DTI is publishing an information package. Further information and advice is also available from DTI's metric helpline and website.