HC Deb 02 July 1991 vol 194 c99W
Mr. Carrington

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation on phasing out the use of imperial units following the adoption of the 1989 amendment to the units of measurement directive; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lilley

Having considered the replies to my Department's consultation paper, I intend to amend the legislation on the units of measurement authorised for use in the United Kingdom, generally taking maximum advantage of the transitional arrangements in the directive, and accordingly to:

  1. (i) cease to authorise after 31 December 1994, imperial units used for economic, public health, public safety and administrative purposes except for the units used for the purposes set out in (ii) and (iii);
  2. (ii) cease to authorise after 31 December 1999:
    1. (a) the pound and ounce for goods sold loose from bulk;
    2. (b) the pint and fluid ounce for beer, cider, waters, lemonades and fruit juices in returnable containers;
    3. (c) the fathom for marine navigation; and
    4. (d) the therm for gas supply;
  3. (iii) authorise the continued use, without time limit, of:
    1. (a)the mile, yard, foot and inch for road traffic signs and related distances and speed measurement;
    2. (b) the pint for dispensing draught beer and cider and for milk in returnable containers;
    3. (c) the troy ounce for transactions in precious metals; and
    4. (d) the acre for land registration purposes.

Metric units will continue to be authorised for use in the United Kingdom for economic, public health, public safety and administrative purposes.

Changes to other legislation which refers to imperial units of measurement will be a matter for the Government Departments and other bodies responsible for that legislation.

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