Victory in sight for the Metric Martyrs
Oct 20 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal
NORTH shopkeepers look set to finally win their fight to sell in pounds and ounces – eight years after the EU first threatened to scrap the imperial system.
A change in the Government’s attitude towards prosecuting businesses which do not follow the rules has meant the region’s Metric Martyrs may finally see victory. The move comes after a London trader was found guilty in a prosecution brought by Hackney council earlier this month of using imperial weighing scales without an official stamp.
Her case echoes that of Sunderland greengrocer Steve Thoburn who was fined in 2001 for using scales that could not weigh in metric units. He died in 2004 after suffering a heart attack.
Following outrage at the recent prosecution, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is updating advice to councils to ensure that action against so-called metric martyrs was “proportionate, consistent and in the public and consumer’s interest”.
In an interview with a Sunday newspaper Innovations Secretary John Denham said he plans to introduce new guidelines to prevent overzealous council officers rushing into prosecutions. And, a spokesperson for the DIUS said: “While individual enforcement decisions are rightly a matter for Trading Standards, we are keen to encourage action that is proportionate, consistent and in the public and consumer’s interest, which is why the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, which is responsible for overseeing the legislation in this area, is updating guidance with local authority bodies for trading standards officers.
“In addition, we are reviewing the current legislative framework with a view to making it easier for everyone to understand, business to comply with and trading standards officers to enforce.”
Mr Thoburn’s widow, Leigh, last night welcomed the news. She said: “Steven would have been extremely proud, it’s a shame he’s not around to see it.”
Director of the Metric Martyrs pressure group Neil Herron dedicated the victory to Mr Thoburn, who was a close friend.
Mr Herron said: “Finally we have a Government Minister with common sense. It totally vindicates Steven and our stance on behalf of market traders and shopkeepers up and down the land. Who would have thought two guys from Sunderland would take on the might of the Government and the EU and win?”
Metric measurements were first introduced into the UK in the 1970s.
Under legislation that came into force on January 2000, all goods sold loose by weight are required to be sold in grams and kilograms.
Traders can still display weights in imperial but a conversion must also be given.
But the rules have led to a succession of metric martyrs – traders unwilling to bend to the EU legislation.
