§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reasons he has given advice that speed limits on inland waterways shall henceforth be notified in kilometres per hour; what consultations were made prior to such notification; what is its statutory basis; and to what rivers, canals or tidal waterways such advice applies. [1797]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesUnder the Units of Measurement Regulations 1995, which took effect from 1 October 1995, certain references to imperial units of measurement were converted to their metric equivalent. My Department had kept British Waterways and the National Rivers Authority informed on the proposed regulations. The regulations 561W apply to all waterways except those used for sea transport, where units of measurement are laid down in international conventions or agreements.