Written question asked by Austin Mitchell (Labour) on Monday, 7 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 February 2000. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Thursday, 10 February 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, what guidance he has given to enforcement officials in respect of sales of goods sold from loose stock by measured weight in metric and imperial units.

Answer: Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance he has given to enforcement officials in respect of sales of goods sold from loose stock by measured weight in metric and imperial units. [109442] Dr. Howells: Local authorities have an independent statutory responsibility to enforce weights and measures legislation. As with the earlier stages of metrication, DTI has encouraged the local authorities to provide small traders with information and advice about the change to metric weights for the sale of loose goods, and to recognise the difficulties that some small traders have had in changing to metric weights by 31 December 1999.

Secondary information