This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7677438.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'Metric martyrs' given reprieve | 'Metric martyrs' given reprieve |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The government is acting to end the prosecution of so-called "metric martyrs" - traders who continue to sell goods using only imperial measures. | The government is acting to end the prosecution of so-called "metric martyrs" - traders who continue to sell goods using only imperial measures. |
| The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is to issue new guidelines to local authorities. | The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is to issue new guidelines to local authorities. |
| It wants to ensure that action against traders using the imperial system is "proportionate, consistent and in the public and consumer's interest". | |
| Last year EU commissioners ruled the UK could carry on using imperial measures. | Last year EU commissioners ruled the UK could carry on using imperial measures. |
| The move follows the case earlier this month of Janet Devers, an east London trader found guilty of using imperial weighing scales without an official stamp in a prosecution brought by Hackney council. | The move follows the case earlier this month of Janet Devers, an east London trader found guilty of using imperial weighing scales without an official stamp in a prosecution brought by Hackney council. |
| Metric measurements were introduced into the UK in the 1970s, but under legislation brought in during January 2000, all goods sold loose by weight are required to be sold in grams and kilograms. | Metric measurements were introduced into the UK in the 1970s, but under legislation brought in during January 2000, all goods sold loose by weight are required to be sold in grams and kilograms. |
| However, the rules have led to a succession of "metric martyrs" - traders unwilling to bend to the EU legislation. | However, the rules have led to a succession of "metric martyrs" - traders unwilling to bend to the EU legislation. |
| Traders can still display weights in imperial but must also give a conversion figure. | Traders can still display weights in imperial but must also give a conversion figure. |
| Last September, European Union commissioners ruled that Britain can carry on using imperial measurements such as pints, pounds and miles. | Last September, European Union commissioners ruled that Britain can carry on using imperial measurements such as pints, pounds and miles. |
| Advice update | Advice update |
| According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, Innovations Secretary John Denham is to introduce new guidelines "within months" that will prevent local authorities from taking traders to court. | According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, Innovations Secretary John Denham is to introduce new guidelines "within months" that will prevent local authorities from taking traders to court. |
| A spokesperson for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills said: "While individual enforcement decisions are rightly a matter for Trading Standards, we are keen to encourage action that is proportionate, consistent and in the public and consumer's interest. | A spokesperson for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills said: "While individual enforcement decisions are rightly a matter for Trading Standards, we are keen to encourage action that is proportionate, consistent and in the public and consumer's interest. |
| "Which is why the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, which is responsible for overseeing the legislation in this area, is updating guidance with local authority bodies for trading standards officers. | "Which is why the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, which is responsible for overseeing the legislation in this area, is updating guidance with local authority bodies for trading standards officers. |
| "In addition, we are reviewing the current legislative framework with a view to making it easier for everyone to understand, business to comply with and trading standards officers to enforce." | "In addition, we are reviewing the current legislative framework with a view to making it easier for everyone to understand, business to comply with and trading standards officers to enforce." |