HC Deb 09 November 1971 vol 825 cc106-7W
30. Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the general adoption by the medical profession of metrication and the measuring of medicines in this system; in how many districts it is the practice of hospitals to give the weight of new-born babies in kilogrammes as well as pounds; and what has been the reaction of such mothers to this practice.

Mr. Alison

Almost all prescribing by general medical practitioners is in metric terms and chemists are by law obliged to supply in metric quantities.

By 1st April, 1972, all prescribing and measuring of drugs by hospitals will be in metric terms. The information requested on birth weights is not readily available. Hospitals will naturally give information in a form which mothers can understand.