Another Scotsman article: http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=782702004
Howe weighs in to debate
A CAMPAIGN to end the "very British mess" of the state of weights and
measures in this country was launched today by Lord Howe of Aberavon, the
former Tory chancellor.
Lord Howe spoke out as the patron of the United Kingdom Metric
Association, which is calling for a change-over to the exclusive use of the
international metric system as soon as possible.
The Association claims that the current "half metric, half imperial
muddle" increases costs, prevents fair comparison in shops, requires
constant conversions, leads to misunderstandings and confuses overseas
visitors.
Lord Howe, in the Associationâs new pamphlet, says: "British weights
and measures are in a mess. Litres for petrol and fizzy drinks, pints for
beer and milk, metres and kilometres for athletics, miles per gallon for
cars.
"And this muddle does matter. It increases costs, confuses shoppers,
leads to serious misunderstandings, causes accidents, wastes our childrenâs
education and, quite bluntly, puts us all to shame."
Lord Howe said that as long ago as 1862, a Commons Committee
unanimously recommended the adoption of the metric system.
"And a century later the decision was taken to go metric over the next
ten years. But in 1979, alas, the Government (of which I was a member)
foolishly decided to go slow on the whole process. So we are stuck halfway.
And the rest of the world has moved on," he added.
Delivery formats for "UK"
[more info]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris KEENAN" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, 2004-07-08 11:15
Subject: [USMA:30319] Re: New UKMA initiative
> Some early feedback:
>
> http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=17093
> http://www.carkeys.co.uk/news/2004_july/08/3662.asp
> http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=783582004
>
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/11837803?source=Evening%20Standard
>
> Lord Howe has appeared on TV twice today so far.
>
> --
> Chris KEENAN
> UK Metric Assoc.: metric.org.uk
>
>
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