A couple recent articles that showed up on database the last couple days.
Question: Not familiar with specific procedures between House of Commons and
House of Lords, does this mean the threat of Parliamentary action is
essentially over?
Nat
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Western Daily Press,
March 21, 2001, News, Pg.6,
138 words,
Tories fail to quash metric deadline
March 21, 2001
EDITION: WP LATE CITY
SECTION: News, Pg.6
LENGTH: 138 words
HEADLINE: Tories fail to quash metric deadline
BODY:
REGULATIONS extending until the end of 2009 the period in which UK food
shops and market traders may use pounds and ounces, in addition to metric
measures, were approved by the Lords last night after a 70-minute debate.
A Tory bid to annul the rules, which Opposition peers claimed would
criminalise the use of imperial measures from 2010, was rejected by 115
votes to 76, a Government majority of 39.
Tory Front bencher Baroness Miller of Hendon said in a statement at
Westminster after the vote: "This was a foolish move by the Government -
blind, pettifogging bureaucracy.
"Today's vote will be a green light for town hall jobsworths to persecute
shoppers wanting to buy in pounds and shops wanting to accommodate them from
2009.
"This is harmonisation mania and the regulation mentality gone mad."
LOAD-DATE: March 21, 2001
------------------------------------------------
Press Association Newsfile, March 22, 2001, Thursday,
PARLIAMENTARY NEWS, 327 words,
CONCERN OVER 'CONFUSING' METRICATION,
Joe Churcher, Political Staff, PA News
The Press Association Limited
Press Association Newsfile
March 22, 2001, Thursday
SECTION: PARLIAMENTARY NEWS
LENGTH: 327 words
HEADLINE: CONCERN OVER 'CONFUSING' METRICATION
BYLINE: Joe Churcher, Political Staff, PA News
BODY:
A self-confessed Tory "fuddy duddy" today accused the Government of leaving
older people in confusion by doing away with imperial measurements for good.
James Gray (C N Wiltshire) admitted that the younger generation might be
comfortable with metric but others would prefer to have a choice.
Measures approved by MPs yesterday extend a British exemption which allows
traders to use both metric and imperial units for loose goods until 2009.
But Tories claim it is effectively a death warrant for pounds and ounces.
Mr Gray said: "Try as best I will to keep up with the younger generation I
still understand what it means when you say a couple of miles down the road
rather than five kilometres.
I understand that it's a hot summer's day when it's 75F but I am a bit
muddled about 20C, I understand what a pound of butter or eight ounces of
sweeties are.
"I may be out of date but I feel comfortable with those measurements.
"Does the minister not regret that an order he brought before the House
removes the right of the retailer to offer the option.
"At the moment at least you know where you are no matter whether you are
young or, like me, a bit of an old fuddy duddy."
Tory trade spokesman Alan Duncan said yesterday's decision to "end forever"
the ability to display imperial measurements had been "the final stage of
the messy process" of metrication.
Junior trade minister Kim Howells rejected the claim, pointing out there was
nothing to stop the UK seeking another extension in 2009.
And he accused Mr Gray, whose comments had caused Labour maverick Dennis
Skinner to call him "a plonker", of using anti-Europe rhetoric to cling on
to his seat.
"It's too late now for him to try to convince the people of his lovely
county that he's more anti-European and more anti-metrication than the UK
Independence Party are.
"That's what he's really worried about because he's only got a majority of
3,500 and they are pecking away at it."
LOAD-DATE: March 23, 2001
> Can be found at:
>
>
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmhansrd/cm010321/debtext/
10321-33.htm#10321-33_head0
>
> To put you out of your misery, the motion (to repeal) was lost by 182
> to 263!
>
> Strange how it has gone unreported in the press.
>
> Chris
