To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his policy is on the use of imperial weights and measures; and if he will make a statement. (190480)

I have been asked to reply.

Since 1965 it has been the policy of successive UK Governments to adopt metric weights and measures by stages in recognition that the global trend towards metrication would be likely to place UK business at a competitive disadvantage in world markets where transactions are conducted primarily in metric units. Metric units of measurement are now used for most transactions regulated by the Weights and Measures Act 1985. There are clear advantages in having a single system of units of measurement in place to allow consumers to compare quantities and prices, but we also recognise that a proportion of the public still prefers or is more familiar with imperial units, and so imperial units may continue to be used alongside metric in dual labelling.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent representations he has received on (a) EU directives and (b) domestic legislation on imperial measures and imperial measuring equipment; and if he will make a statement. (190708)

I have been asked to reply;

The Department has received a number of representations from companies, trade associations, other organisations and individuals over the last year representing a range of viewpoints on the issue of units of measurement.