§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the financial effects on traders who(a) have and (b) have not complied with regulations requiring loose goods to be sold in metric units. [154136]
§ Dr. HowellsMost imperial weighing machines can be converted to metric at an average cost of £100 per machine. The price of a new metric weighing machine starts at about £450. No assessment has been made of the financial effects of non-compliance because it is expected that the conversion will be completed in the near future.
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§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress towards compliance with regulations requiring loose goods to be sold in metric units. [154135]
§ Dr. HowellsIt is expected that the remaining imperial machines will be converted to metric or be replaced by metric weighing machines in the near future.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness and compliance of United Kingdom legislation introduced as a result of Directive 80/181/EEC. [154190]
§ Dr. HowellsThe conversion of all weighing machines to metric units, as required by Directive 80/181/EEC as amended in 1989, has taken longer than expected, but is expected to be completed in the near future.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the number of imperial Weighing machines still in use in the United Kingdom. [154134]
§ Dr. HowellsThere are approximately 160,000 weighing machines in use for the sale of goods loose at the point of sale. The Department understands that nearly 130,000 are now metric and that just over 30,000 are still imperial.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under what circumstances he uses the powers available to him under section 71 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 to seek to encourage proper enforcement by local weights and measures authorities of legislation introduced as a result of Directive 80/181/EEC; and if he will make a statement. [154140]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Department considers that local weights and measures authorities have taken steps to secure compliance with regulations on units of measurement that implement Directive 80/181/EEC as amended. The Department will consider any representations alleging a lack of proper enforcement.