B R I T I S H

W E I G H T S

&

M E A S U R E S

ASSOCIATION

PRESS RELEASE

9 February 2000

EUROPEAN METRICATION LAW - A PAPER TIGER?

 

While Trading Standards Officers and the Department of Trade & Industry are wondering whether they dare to prosecute honest traders for selling their goods in imperial measures the latest opinion poll will sap their confidence even further.

In the ITV Teletext poll on Friday 4 February 2000 out of 7,229 replies to the question " Do you support the new European law enforcing metric weights?", 97% voted NO.

The British Weights & Measures Association is confident that if Trading Standards do prosecute traders the courts will agree with eminent counsel's opinion* that the law is illegal and unenforceable.

Some authorities have used disgraceful bullying tactics to scare traders into submission but so far they have consistently failed to take legal action against blatant defiance of the new metrication law.

The "Infringement Notice" issued to Leigh on Sea Butchers Mandy and Dave Stevens ran out last week but despite nation-wide publicity about their dedication to selling by pounds and ounces, Southend Council has declined to prosecute them.

Jose O'Ware's shop selling blinds and fabrics in Enfield is plastered with notices stating that everything is sold in imperial measures but the council just turns a 'blind' eye.

Bruce Robertson, chairman of Trago Mills Regional Shopping Centres, has written repeatedly to Devon and Cornwall County Councils imploring them to prosecute him for selling in imperial units. They just fob him off.

Tony Howard's insistence on selling petrol by the gallon has been well publicised. Somerset Council just ignores him.

Andrew Farrow who runs Cerne Abbas Stores is determined to continue selling in imperial but Dorset Council simply sends him a polite note of advice hoping he will convert to metric.

These traders are just a small sample of the thousands who are determined to defy an illegal law and continue to give the vast majority of their customers what they want.

Unless the authorities bring a test case we have to conclude that the new law is a Paper Tiger.

*Details of counsel's opinion are on the Internet at: http://www.silentmajority.co.uk/eurorealist/Weights.html

 

For further information CONTACT: Mr Vivian Linacre, BWMA Director 45 Montgomery Street, Edinburgh EH7 5JX (Tel. & FAX: 0131 556 6080)

Press release distributed by David Delaney, BWMA Hon Public Relations Officer, Mortimers Cross Mill, Leominster, HR6 9PE, (Tel: 01568 708 820, FAX 01568 708 765, e-mail dtdelaney@compuserve.com).

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