Written question asked by John Wilkinson (Conservative) on Friday, 7 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 July 2000. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 13 July 2000 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on (a) the seizure of weighing equipment by trading standards officers of his Department from traders whom they believe to be in breach of the law requiring goods to be sold in metric units and (b) the procedures available to them to obtain the restitution of their property from his Department. - (Holding answer 12 July 2000).

Answer: Mr. Wilkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on (a) the seizure of weighing equipment by trading standards officers of his Department from traders whom they believe to be in breach of the law requiring goods to be sold in metric units and (b) the procedures available to them to obtain the restitution of their property from his Department. [130269] Mr. Alan Johnson: [holding answer 12 July 2000]: Weights and measures legislation includes powers for local authority inspectors of weights and measures to seize and detain equipment in circumstances where they believe the equipment is liable to be forfeited. This would apply, for example, to equipment being used without a valid stamp on it, to equipment which is false or unjust, or which was being used in the commission of fraud. Where prosecution followed, it would be for the courts to determine whether the equipment should be forfeited. Otherwise it would be returned to the owner.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 353 c621-2W;353 c619-20W; 130269
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Equipment Powers Prosecutions Measurement Metrication Retail trade Trading standards
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk