HC Deb 26 June 2000 vol 352 cc353-4W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what standard for the determination of hydrocarbon oil bulk volume is recommended by the Organisation Internationale de Métrologie Légale; [127363]

(2) if the recommendations of the Organisation Internationale de Métrologie Légale for standard temperature measurement are adopted throughout the marketing chain for the sale of petrol and diesel. [127364]

Mrs. Liddell

OIML publishes documents which mainly take the form of International Recommendations which cover many aspects of measurement of hydrocarbon oil bulk volume, and in particular Recommendation R117 covers Measuring Systems for Liquids other than Water. They do not lay down requirements for standard temperature measurement. They do (as appropriate to the context) specify provisions for conversion devices for temperature compensation. However, these are for optional application, as OIML member states may decide. They have not been made a requirement of weights and measures legislation in the UK.

Standard temperature accounting is not adopted throughout the marketing chain for sales of petrol and diesel. The National Weights and Measures Laboratory commissioned a study on the Temperature Compensation of Liquid Fuels which produced several recommendations. These recommendations have been made the subject of an industry consultation. The responses to this consultation are currently being analysed by NWML.