§ Lord Shore of Stepneyasked Her Majesty s Government:
Whether, in extending from 31 December 1999 the United Kingdom's derogation from the directive concerning units of measurement for a further 10 years, retailers of "loose from bulk" goods. mainly fruit, vegetables, cheese etc., will be free as hitherto to use in quoting prices, weights and other measurements imperial units only; and if not what penalties will be imposed on those who refuse to convert to metric units of measurement. [HL3921]
§ The Minister for Science, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The European Commission has proposed that Directive 80/181/EEC on units of measurement, as amended by Directive 89/617/EEC, should be amended to authorise the use of imperial units in all member states as "supplementary indications" alongside the equivalent metric units until 31 December 2009. The Government expect the proposal to be adopted by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament later this year.
The amendment will mean that until 31 December 2009 the ounce and the pound can be used as supplementary indications for the sale of goods loose in bulk, mainly fresh foods.
235WAIt is an offence under Section 8 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 for traders to fail to use units of measurement authorised for the sale of goods by weight or measure. Offences are liable to a fine not exceeding £2,000 and the forfeiture of measuring equipment. Under legislation made in 1994, the ounce and the pound are authorised for trade after 31 December 1999 only as supplementary indications.