Hong Kong – Imperial no more

Followers of Metric Views may have noticed that one of our regular contributors, John Frewen-Lord, has just returned from a visit to the far east. In this post, he passes on some observations relating one of the countries he visited.

Continue reading “Hong Kong – Imperial no more”

It’s official – the UK’s hybrid collection of measures is here to stay

Recently, one of our readers wrote to his MP about the UK’s measurement muddle. He received a reply from the office of the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts MP, who has responsibility for measurement standards in the UK. This reply confirms that the Government has no plan to reduce the current mixture of units in common use in the UK or to promote a single system of measurement for all purposes.

Continue reading “It’s official – the UK’s hybrid collection of measures is here to stay”

“No more imperial-only vehicle signs” says UKMA

In its response to a Department for Transport consultation the UK Metric Association has recommended that the erection of new vehicle height, width and length restriction signs that display only feet and inches should no longer be permitted.
Continue reading ““No more imperial-only vehicle signs” says UKMA”

One hundred years of metric rainfall measurement

– not that the media have noticed.  John Frewen-Lord looks into this oversight, drawing our attention to a centenary that occurs on 1 May.

Continue reading “One hundred years of metric rainfall measurement”

Are imperial units ‘British’?

Continuing with our series on myths, misinformation and fallacies, we look at the claim occasionally made by defenders of imperial units that they are British and that they should continue in use for this reason.

Continue reading “Are imperial units ‘British’?”

BBC told to stop undermining the National Measurement System

In its response to a recent BBC consultation the UK Metric Association (UKMA) has called on the BBC to live up to its declared mission and hence to support – and not to undermine – the exclusively metric National Measurement System.

Continue reading “BBC told to stop undermining the National Measurement System”

Independent Scotland would keep …

In its White Paper today (26 November 2013) the Scottish Government has tried to reassure nervous sceptics with a list of things that they hope a future independent Scotland would keep.  Widely reported have been the Queen, the pound sterling , membership of the EU, membership of NATO (all these subject to negotiation), free travel to the rest of the British Isles, the BBC, Royal Mail (albeit renationalised).  But there is one item in the list that has not attracted much attention …

Continue reading “Independent Scotland would keep …”