Weights and Measures Acts (UK)


Weights and Measures Acts are acts of the British Parliament determining the regulation of weights and measures. It also refers to similar royal and parliamentary acts of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland and the medieval Welsh states. The earliest of these were originally untitled but were given descriptive glosses or titles based upon the monarch under whose reign they were promulgated. Several omnibus modern acts have the short title "Weights and Measures Act" and are distinguished by the year of their enactment.
Background
There have been many laws concerned with weights and measures in the United Kingdom or parts of it over the last 1,000 or so years. The acts may catalogue lawful weights and measures, prescribe the mechanism for inspection and enforcement of the use of such weights and measures and may set out circumstances under which they may be amended. Modern legislation may, in addition to specific requirements, set out circumstances under which the incumbent minister may amend the legislation by means of statutory instruments. Prior to the Weights and Measures Act 1985, weights and measures acts were only concerned with trade law where the weight or size of the goods being traded was important. The 1985 act, however, had a broader scope, encompassing all aspects covered by the European Economic Community (EEC) European Commission directive 80/181/EEC.
As of 25 April 2012, the current primary legislation in the United Kingdom is the 1985 act, which was last amended by statutory instrument in 2011.[3] Statutory instruments made under the authority of the act do not amend the act per se, but regulate particular areas covered by the act.[4]
The act is currently enforced by the 200 Trading Standards offices managed by local authorities around the country. Definitions of units of measurements and the technical equipment relating to weights and measures are provided by the National Measurement Office, an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Statute measure
Historically, many units had various customary definitions—by locality or trade, for example. Where these units also had a standard, legally defined definition, such as given in a weights and measures act, this was known as the statute measure.[5] So a land area might be given as 24 acres—statute measure, to clarify that it was the acre defined in statute, rather than a customary acre of a different size, that was being used.[5] Units that had statute-defined measures as well as customary measures were the acre, mile, perch, pole and ton.[6] The level of legal enforcement of statute measures achieved between the mid nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries meant that only "statute mile" and "statute ton" needed qualifying beyond then.[5] The statute mile still needed to be differentiated from the nautical mile, but the others, and the term "statute measure" itself, are now only used in a historical context.[6]
Metric units of measure
The Weights and Measures (Metric System) Act 1897 (60 & 61 Vict. c. 46) provided that metric units could be used in addition to the traditional imperial units for purposes of trade.[7][8] In practice, the actual choice of units was restricted by price marking orders which listed packaging sizes and pricing structures that might be used in specific circumstances. For example, as of April 2012, wine for consumption on premises may only be sold in 125, 175, and 250 mL glasses while draught beer may only be sold as 1⁄3, 1⁄2, or 2⁄3 pint and integer multiples of 1⁄2 pint.[9][10] Prior to 1973, when the United Kingdom joined the EEC, such specifications were almost all in imperial units.
As part of its attempt to harmonise units of measure between the member states of its Internal Market, the European Commission (EC) issued directive 80/181/EEC which set out the units of measure that should be used for what it called "economic, public health, public safety, and administrative" purposes. To comply with this directive, the Weights and Measures Act 1985 extended the scope of Trading Standards responsibilities from just matters related to trade to all aspects of the directive. For example, it was the Trading Standards Office that criticised the use of sub-standard weighing machines in NHS hospitals.[11]
To help ease the EC's desired transition from sole use of imperial units to sole use of metric units, the directive permitted the use of what were termed "supplementary indicators"—the continued use of imperial units alongside the metric units catalogued by the directive (dual labelling). The initial intention was to prohibit dual labelling after the end of 1989, with metric units only being allowed after that date. This deadline was later extended: first to the end of 1999, then to the end of 2009. Finally, in 2007, the European Union (EU, as it had become) and the EC confirmed that the UK would be permitted to continue indefinitely to use imperial units such as pints, miles, pounds and ounces as at present.[12] The Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards Department confirmed the EU ruling that the previous deadline for ending dual labelling had been abolished.[13]
There are still a few cases where imperial units are required to be used and where metric units are not permitted within the scope of the Weights and Measures Act, such as the pint for the sale of draught beer and cider, and miles and yards for distances on road signage. Milk in returnable containers may be sold by the pint and the troy ounce may be used for the sale of precious metals. In addition, British law specifies which non-metric units may be used with dual labelling (for example the imperial gallon, but not the US gallon).[14]
England
Acts of the Witenagemot
Numerous acts of the Saxon kings are known to have been lost. Those that have survived include:
10th century
2 Edgar c. 8 (sometime between 959 and 963):[15]
be mynetum and ᵹemetum. |
of money and measures. |
The statute also survives in a few other Old English and Latin copies, some which omit mention of London and describe "the measure held at Winchester", an indication that a standard ell or yard was nominally in use:[16][17]
de moneta, et mensura, et pondere. |
on money, and measure, and weight. |
John Quincy Adams's 1821 report on the history of English weights and measures notes of this act that "it was never observed".[18]
Acts of the Royal Council
11th century
3 William I c. 7 (1068):
On measures and weights |
12th century
Assize of Measures
It is established that woollen cloths, wherever they be made, be made of the same width, to wit, of two ells within the lists [selvages], and of the same good quality in the middle and at the sides. Also the ell shall be the same in the whole realm and of the same length and the ell shall be of iron.
Acts of Parliament
Statutes of uncertain date
The statutes of uncertain date (Latin: Statuta temporis incerti) are generally dated to the mid-to-late 13th century.[24]
- The Assize of Bread and Ale (Assisa Panis et Cervisiae)[25]
- Sometimes dated to 51 Henry III (1267–68). Statute I - Section III:
By the Consent of the whole Realm of England, the measure of our Lord the King was made; that is to say, That the English Peny, called a Sterling, round and without clipping, shall weigh xxxii Wheat Corns in the midst of the Ear, and xx d. do make an Ounce, and xii Ounces one Pound, and Viii Pound do make a Gallon of Wine, and viii Gallons of Wine do make a London Bushel, which is the Eighth Part of a Quarter. Forasmuch as in our Parliament holden at Westminster, in the first Year of our Reign, we have granted that all good Statutes and Ordinances made in Times of our Progenitors aforesaid, and not revoked, shall be still held, we have caused, at the Request of the Bakers of our Town of Coventry, that the Ordinances aforesaid, by tenor of these Presents, shall be exemplified. In Witness whereof, &c. Whitness the King at Westminster, the xxii Day of March.[26]
- Statutum de Pistoribus, et cetera[27][not specific enough to verify] (The Statute concerning Bakers, et cetera)
- Tractatus de Ponderibus et Mensuris[28]
- Also known as the Tractatus de Ponderibus, Compositio de Ponderibus ("The Composition of Weights"), Assisa de Ponderibus et Mensuris ("Assize of Weights and Measures") or the Weights and Measures Act 1303. In the Latin and English text, "hundred" (and the Latin numeral c.) is used for four separate concepts: the Germanic long hundred of 120, the short hundred of 100, several units of either value, and a separate unit (the hundredweight) of 108 pounds.
- The form in which it appears in Cotton MS Claudius D2 where it is dated to 31 Edw. I (1303) is:
Tractatus de Ponderibus et Mensuris. |
Treatise on Weights and Measures. |
- Magna Carta
- Although signed in 1215, Magna Carta was not ratified by Parliament until 1225, by which time it had become substantially abridged. Chapter 35 of Magna Carta of 1215 (which dealt with weights and measures) became chapter 25 of Magna Carta of 1225.
14th century
- 14 Edw. 3 Stat. 1. c. 12 (1340)[29]
Bushels and Weights shall be made and sent into every Country.
- 18 Edw. 3 Stat. 2. c. 4 (1344)[30]
Commissions to assay Weights and Measures shall be repealed, and none such granted.
- 25 Edw. 3 Stat. 5. c. 9 (1350)[31]
Enfement pur ce qe tres grant damage & desceit est fait au people par tant qe plusours marchantz usent dachater & poiser leines & autres marchandises par une pois qest appelle Aunsell’ Acorde est & establi qe celle pois appelle Aunsell’ entre achatour et vendour soit del tout ofte & qe chescun vend & achat par balances iffint qe les balances soient owels & les leines & autres marchandises owelment poisez par droit pois & qe le sak de leine ne poise qe vint & sys peres & chescun pere poise quatorze livres & qe lestater de la balance ne encline ne a lune partie ne al autre & qe le pois soit acordant al estandard del Escheker. Et si nul achatour face al encontre soit grevousement puny sibien a la seute de partie come a la seute nostre Seignur le Roi. |
Auncel Weight shall be put out, and Weighing shall be by equal Balance. |
- 25 Edw. 3 Stat. 5. c. 10 (1350)[31]
Auxint come contenue soit en la Grande Chartre qe une mesure soit usee parmy tout Engleterre la quele chartre nad mie este tenu bien en ceo point avant ses heures si est acorde & assentu qe touz les mesures cest asavoir bussel dimid' bussel & peck galon potel & quart par toute Engleterre deinz fanchise & dehors soient acordauntz al estandard nostre Seignur le Roi & contiegne le quartre oet busselx par lestandard & nient pluis. Et soit chescune mesure de blee rase fanz comble sauvez les rentes & fermes des Seignurs queles soient avant ces heures. Et facent les purveours le Roi ma dame la Roigne & touz autres lours purveances par meismes les mesures rases & en meisme le manere Et a toutes les foitz qe mestier serra Nostre Seignur le Roi assignera certeines Justices en chescune countee denqueer & doier & terminer sur les pointz suisditz & de faire sur ce due punissement solone chescun trespas siebien a la seute de partie come a la seute le Roi. Iffint totes soitz qe toutes maneres des franchises soient sauvez as Seignurs en toutz pointz saunz nul emblemissement ent faire en quecumqe manere. |
Every Measure shall be according to the King's Standard; and shall be striked without Heap; saving the Rents of Lords. |
- 27 Edw. 3 Stat. 2. c. 10 (1353)[32][33]
... un pois, un mesure, et un verge soit per tut la terre ... |
There shall be but one Weight, Measure and Yard throughout the Realm. |
- A chapter of the Statute of the Staple that provides for justices to be appointed to hear charges of measuring fraud at the staple ports. Those found guilty were liable for quadruple damages and 2 years' imprisonment.
- 31 Edw. 3 Stat. 1. c. 2 (1357)[34]
No Wool shall be bought by Fraud to abate the Price thereof. Weights shall be sent to all the Shires.
- 4 Ric. 2. c. 1 (1380)[35]
All Vessels of Wine, Honey, and Oil brought into this realm shall be gauged.
- 13 Ric. 2. Stat. 1. c. 9 (1389)[36]
There shall be but one Weight and one Measure throughout the Realm, saving in the County of Lancaster. The Weight of Wool, and the Refuse thereof.
- 15 Ric. 2. c. 4. (1391)[37]
There shall be but eight Bushels of Corn striked to the Quarter.
- 16 Ric. 2. c. 3. (1392)[38]
The Clerk of the Market shall carry with him all his Weights and Measures signed.
15th century
1 Hen. 5. c. 10 (1413),[39]Corn Measure Act 1413 Act of Parliament Long title An Act concerning the true Measure of Corn. Citation 1 Hen. 5. c. 10 Territorial extent England and Wales Dates Royal assent 9 June 1413 Commencement 14 May 1413 Repealed 10 August 1872 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision (Ireland) Act 1872) Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An Act concerning the true Measure of Corn.
2 Hen. 5. Stat. 2. c. 4 (1414)[40]Gilding of Silver Act 1414 Act of Parliament Long title There Shall be no gilding of Silver Ware but of the Allay of English Sterling. Citation 2 Hen. 5. Stat. 2. c. 4 Dates Commencement 19 November 1414 Repealed 21 July 1856 Other legislation Repealed by Repeal of Obsolete Statutes Act 1856 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted There Shall be no gilding of Silver Ware but of the Allay of English Sterling.
- First notice of troy weight in statute.[41]
8 Hen. 6. c. 5 (1429)[42]Weights, etc. Act 1429 Act of Parliament Long title Every City and Borough shall have a common Balance and Weight. Who may buy Wool and Yarn. Citation 8 Hen. 6. c. 5 Dates Repealed 10 August 1861 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act (Ireland) 1872 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted Every City and Borough shall have a common Balance and Weight. Who may buy Wool and Yarn.
18 Hen. 6. c. 16 (1439)[43]Cloth Measures Act 1439 Act of Parliament Long title There shall be but one Measure of Cloth through the Realm by the Yard and the Inch, and not by the Yard and Handful, according to the London Measure. Citation 18 Hen. 6. c. 16 Dates Repealed 10 August 1872 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act (Ireland) 1872 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted
Item – come il foit meritorie & almoigne a departer la veritee de la desciet si come jatarde en un parlement tenuz a Westm' la fuist ouste un rayme... |
There shall be but one Measure of Cloth through the Realm by the Yard and the Inch, and not by the Yard and Handful, according to the London Measure. |
18 Hen. 6. c. 17 (1439)[43]Vessels of Wine, etc. Act 1439 Act of Parliament Long title Vessels of Wine, Oyl, and Honey, shall be gauged. Citation 18 Hen. 6. c. 17 - Vessels of Wine, Oyl, and Honey, shall be gauged.
Item – pur ceo qe toutz les tonels pipes tertians & hoggeshedes de vin oyle & mele ... |
Item – Because all the Tuns, Pipes, Tertians and Hogsheads of Wine, Oyl, and Honey... |
11 Hen. 7. c. 4 (1494)[44]Weights and Measures Act 1495 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for Weights and Measures. Citation 11 Hen. 7. c. 4 Dates Repealed 10 August 1872 Other legislation Relates to Statute Law Revision (Ireland) Act 1872 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An Act for Weights and Measures.
The Names of the Cities and Towns limited for the keeping of Weights and Measures.
12 Hen. 7. c. 5 (1496)[45]Weights and Measures Act 1496 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for Weights and Measures. Citation 12 Hen. 7. c. 5 Dates Repealed 28 July 1863 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1863 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An Act for Weights and Measures.
That the Measure of a Bushel contain viij. Gallons of Wheat, and that every Gallon contain viij. li. of Wheat of Troy Weight, and every Pound contain xij. Ounces of Troy Weight, and every Ounce contain xx. Sterlings, and every Sterling be of the Weight of xxxij. Corns of Wheat that grew in the Midst of the Ear of Wheat, according to the old Laws of this Land.
16th century
- Verdict of the Pyx 18 Henry VIII (1527)[46][volume & issue needed]
And whereas heretofore the merchaunte paid for coynage of every pounde Towre of fyne gold weighing xi oz. quarter Troye ii s. vi d. Nowe it is determyned by the king's highness, and his said councelle that the foresaid pounde Towre shall be no more used and occupied but al maner of golde and sylver shall be wayed by the pounde Troye, which maketh xii oz. Troy, which exceedith the pounde Towre in weight iii quarters of the oz.
23 Hen. 8. c. 4 (1531)[47]Brewers and Coopers Act 1531 Act of Parliament Long title An Act that no Brewers of Beer or Ale shall make their Barrels, Kilderkins nor Firkins, within them; and how much the same Barrels, &c. shall contain. Citation 23 Hen. 8. c. 4 Dates Royal assent 14 May 1532 Repealed 28 July 1863 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1863 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An Act that no Brewers of Beer or Ale shall make their Barrels, Kilderkins or Firkins within them, and how much the same Barrels, et cetera shall contain.
24 Hen. 8. c. 3 (1532)[48]Sale of Flesh Act 1532 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for Flesh to be sold by Weight. Citation 24 Hen. 8. c. 3 Dates Royal assent 7 April 1533 Status: Repealed- An Act for flesh to be sold by weight, and the prices limited.
Beef, pork, mutton and veal shall be sold by weight called Haver-de-pois.
24 Hen. 8. c. 4 (1532)[48]Flax and Hemp Act 1532 Act of Parliament Long title An Act concerning sowing of Flax and Hemp. Citation 24 Hen. 8. c. 4 Dates Royal assent 7 April 1533 Repealed 28 July 1863 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1863 Status: Repealed- An Act concerning sowing of Flax and Hemp.
An acre shall be counted 160 perches, and every perch 16-foot and a half.
5 & 6 Edw. 6. c. 6 (1552)[49]Woollen Cloth Act 1551 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for the true making of Woolen Cloth. Citation 5 & 6 Edw. 6. c. 6 Territorial extent England and Wales Dates Royal assent 15 April 1552 Repealed 21 July 1856 Other legislation Repealed by Repeal of Obsolete Statutes Act 1856 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An Act for the true making of Woolen Cloth.
XIV. And that all and every Broad Cloth and Clothes called Taunton Clothes, Bridgwaters, and other Clothes which shall be made after the said Feast in Taunton, Bridgwater or in other Places of like Sort, shall contain at the Water in Length betwixt twelve and thirteen Yards, Yard and Inch of the Rule, and in Breadth seven Quarters of a Yard: (2) And every narrow Cloth made after the said Feast in the said Towns or elsewhere of like Sorts, shall contain in the Water in Length betwixt three and twenty and five and twenty Yards, Yard and Inch as is aforesaid, and in Breadth one Yard of like Measure; (3) and every such Cloth, both Broad and Narrow being well scowred, thicked, milled and fully dried, shall weigh xxxiv. li. the Piece at the least.
XV. And that all Clothes named Check-Kersie and Straits, which shall be made after the said Feast shall contain being wet between seventeen and eighteen Yards, with the Inches as is aforesaid, and in Breadth one Yard at the least at the Water; and being well scowred, thicked, milled and fully dried, shall weigh xxiv. li. the Piece at the least.
4 & 5 Ph. & M. c. 5. par. IX (1557–58)[50]Woollen Cloths Act 1557 Act of Parliament Long title An Act towching the making of Wollen Clothes. Citation 4 & 5 Ph. & M. c. 5 Dates Royal assent 7 March 1558 Other legislation Repealed by City of London Courts of Justice Act 1815 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An act touching the making of woolen clothes.
IX. Item, That every ordinary kersie mentioned in the said act shall contain in length in the water betwixt xvi. and xvii. yards, yard and inch; and being well scoured thicked, milled, dressed and fully dried, shall weigh nineteen pounds the piece at the least: ...
23 Eliz. 1. c. 8 (1581)[51]Wax Act 1580 Act of Parliament Long title An Act touching the true melting, making and working of Wax. Citation 23 Eliz. 1. c. 8 Territorial extent England and Wales Dates Royal assent 18 March 1581 Repealed 21 July 1856 Other legislation Repealed by Repeal of Obsolete Statutes Act 1856 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An Act touching the true melting, making and working of Wax.
... fill and sell or cause to be filled or sold or offered to be sold any Barrel, Kilderkin or Firkin with Honey, for or in the Name of a Barrel, Kilderkin or Firkin containing less than two and thirty Wine Gallons the Barrel, sixteen Wine Gallons the Kilderkin, and eight Wine Gallons the Firkin; every Person and Persons so offending shall forfeit and lose for every Half Gallon so lacking five Shillings of English Money.
35 Eliz. 1. c. 6 (1593)[52]Restriction on Building Act 1592 Act of Parliament Long title An Act against converting of great Houses into several Tenements, and for Restraint of Inmates and Inclosures, in and near about the City of London and Westminster. Citation 35 Eliz. 1. c. 6 Territorial extent England and Wales Dates Royal assent 10 April 1593 Repealed 27 March 1888 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1888 Status: Repealed- An Act against converting of great Houses into several Tenements, and for Restraint of Inmates and Inclosures, in and near about the City of London and Westminster.
A Mile shall contain eight Furlongs, every Furlong forty Poles, and every Pole shall contain sixteen Foot and an half.[53]
- This is the codification and namesake of the statute mile.
35 Eliz. 1. c. 10. par. III (1593)[54]Cloth Act 1592 Act of Parliament Long title An act for the reformation of sundry abuses in clothes, called Devonshire kersies or dozens, according to a proclamation of the thirty-fourth year of the reign of our sovereign lady the Queen that now is. Citation 35 Eliz. 1. c. 10 Dates Royal assent 10 April 1593 Other legislation Repealed by Woollen Manufacture Act 1809 Status: Repealed- An act for the reformation of sundry abuses in clothes, called Devonshire kersies or dozens, according to a proclamation of the thirty-fourth year of the reign of our sovereign lady the Queen that now is.
(2) and each and every of the same Devonshire kersies or dozens, so being raw, and as it cometh forth off the weaver's loom (without racking, stretching, straining or other device to encrease the length thereof) shall contain in length between fifteen and sixteen yards by the measure of yard and inch by the rule, ...
17th century
16 Cha. 1. c. 19 (1640)[55]Clerk of the Market Act 1640 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for the better ordering and regulating of the Office of Clerk of the Market, allowed and confirmed by this Statutes; and for the Reformation of false Weights and Measures. Citation 16 Cha. 1. c. 19 Dates Royal assent 10 August 1641 Repealed 28 July 1863 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1863 Status: Repealed- An Act for the better ordering and regulating of the Office of Clerk of the Market, allowed and confirmed by this Statutes; and for the Reformation of false Weights and Measures.
22 Cha. 2 c. 8 (1670)[56]Measures Act 1670 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corne and Salt. Citation 22 Cha. 2. c. 8 Dates Royal assent 11 April 1670 Commencement 29 September 1670 Repealed 28 July 1863 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1863 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corn and Salt.
- First mention of the Winchester bushel in statute.
22 & 23 Cha. 2. c. 12 (1670)[57]Measures (No. 2) Act 1670 Act of Parliament Long title An additional Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corn and Salt. Citation 22 & 23 Cha. 2. c. 12 Dates Royal assent 22 April 1671 Repealed 28 July 1863 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1863 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An additional Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corn and Salt.
- 8 & 9 Will. 3 c. 22. s. 9 (1696–7)[58][59]
... every round bushel with a plain and even bottom being eighteen inches and a half wide throughout and eight inches deep shall be determined a legal Winchester bushel according to the Standard of His Majesty's Exchequer.
- First definition of the Winchester bushel in statute (≈2,150.42 cubic inches).
18th century
11 Will. 3. c. 15 (1700)[60]Ale Measures Act 1698 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for the ascertaining the Measures for retailing Ale and Beer. Citation 11 Will. 3. c. 15
(Ruffhead: 11 & 12 Will. 3. c. 15)Dates Royal assent 11 April 1700 Repealed 15 July 1867 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1867 Status: Repealed- An Act for ascertaining the Measures for retailing Ale and Beer.
1 Ann. c. 9 (1701)[61]Water Measure of Fruit Act 1702 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to ascertain the water measure of fruit. Citation 1 Ann. c. 9
(Ruffhead: 1 Ann. St. 1. c. 15)Dates Royal assent 6 May 1702 Repealed 21 July 1856 Other legislation Repealed by Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An Act to ascertain the Water Measure of Fruit.
Great Britain
Acts of Parliament
18th century
6 Ann. c. 27 (1706)[62]Taxation (No. 5) Act 1706 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for continuing several Subsidies, Impositions and Duties and for making Provisions therein mentioned to raise Money by Way of Loan for the Service of the War, and other Her Majesty's necessary and important Occasions, and for ascertaining the Wine Measure. Citation 6 Ann. c. 27
(Ruffhead: 5 Ann. c. 27)Dates Royal assent 8 April 1707 Commencement 3 December 1706 Repealed 15 July 1867 Other legislation Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1867 Status: Repealed- An Act for continuing several Subsidies, Impositions and Duties and for making Provisions therein mentioned to raise Money by Way of Loan for the Service of the War, and other Her Majesty's necessary and important Occasions, and for ascertaining the Wine Measure.
... any Vessel containing two hundred thirty one cubical Inches and no more shall be deemed and taken to be a lawful Wine Gallon ...
- This statute is the origin of the US gallon, also known as the Queen Anne Gallon, Queen Anne Wine Gallon, or pre-1824 British gallon.
False Weights and Scales Act 1770 (10 Geo. 3 c. 44)[63]False Weights and Scales Act 1770 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for more effectually preventing Traders in exciseable Commodities from using false Weights and Scales and for explaining and amending several Acts of Parliament relating to Hackney Coaches and Chairs. Citation 10 Geo. 3 c. 44 Dates Royal assent 19 May 1770 Other legislation Amended by - An Act for more effectually preventing Traders in exciseable Commodities from using false Weights and Scales and for explaining and amending several Acts of Parliament relating to Hackney Coaches and Chairs.
Weights and Measures Act 1795 (35 Geo. 3 c. 102)[64]Weights and Measures Act 1795 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the Use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances. Citation 35 Geo. 3 c. 102 Other legislation Amended by - Weights and Measures Act 1797
- Statute Law Revision Act 1871
Status: Amended- An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the Use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances.
Weights and Measures Act 1797 (37 Geo. 3 c. 143)[65]Weights and Measures Act 1797 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to explain and amend an Act made in the thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of his present Majesty, intituled, "An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances." Citation 37 Geo. 3 c. 143 Dates Royal assent 20 July 1797 Commencement 10 July 1797 Repealed 21 August 1871 Other legislation Amends Weights and Measures Act 1795 Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1871 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - An Act to explain and amend an Act made in the thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of his present Majesty, intituled, An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances.
19th century
Weights and Measures Act 1815 (55 Geo. 3 c. 43)[66]Weights and Measures Act 1815 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the Use of false and deficient Measures. Citation 55 Geo. 3 c. 43 Other legislation Repealed by Weights and Measures Act 1878 Status: Repealed- An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the Use of false and deficient Measures.
Weights and Measures Act 1824 (5 Geo. 4 c. 74)[67]Weights and Measures Act 1824 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures. Citation 5 Geo. 4 c. 74 Other legislation Repeals/revokes Navigation Act 1571, Water Measure of Fruit Act 1702 Amended by Text of statute as originally enacted - An Act for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures.
And whereas not withstanding it is provided by the Great Charter, that there shall be but one Measure and one Weight throughout the Realm, and by the Treaty of Union between England and Scotland, that the same Weights and Measures should be used throughout Great Britain as were then established in England, yet different Weights and Measures, some larger, and some less, are still in use in various Places throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the true Measure of the present Standards is not verily known, which is the Cause of great Confusion and of manifest Frauds: For the Remedy and Prevention of these Evils for the future, and to the End that certain Standards of Weights and Measures should be established throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; be it therefore enacted ...
- This is the origin of Imperial units. This statute repeals nearly all previous weights and measures legislation, listing them in chronological order (by regnal year but without dates) beginning with "ancient statutes of uncertain date".
Weights and Measures Act 1825 (6 Geo. 4 c. 12)[68]Weights and Measures Act 1825 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to prolong the Time of the Commencement of an Act of the last Session of Parliament, for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures and to amend the said Act. Citation 6 Geo. 4 c. 12 Dates Royal assent 31 March 1825 Commencement 31 March 1825 Other legislation Amended by Statute Law Revision Act 1873 - An Act to prolong the Time of the Commencement of an Act of the last Session of Parliament, for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures and to amend the said Act.
Weights and Measures Act 1834 (4 & 5 Will. 4 c. 49)[69]Weights and Measures Act 1834 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to amend and render more effectual Two Acts of the Fifth and Sixth Years of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, relating to Weights and Measures. Citation 4 & 5 Will. 4 c. 49 - An Act to amend and render more effectual Two Acts of the Fifth and Sixth Years of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, relating to Weights and Measures.
5 & 6 Will. 4 c. 63 (1835)[70]Weights and Measures Act 1835 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to repeal an Act of the Fourth and Fifth Year of His present Majesty relating to Weights and Measures, and to make other Provisions instead thereof. Citation 5 & 6 Will. 4 c. 63 Dates Royal assent 9 September 1835 Commencement 9 September 1835 Other legislation Amended by Statute Law Revision Act 1874 - Also known as the Weights and Measures Act 1835; originally entitled An Act to repeal an Act of the Fourth and Fifth Year of His present Majesty relating to Weights and Measures, and to make other Provisions instead thereof.
- Established the imperial stone and hundredweight of 14 and 112 lbs. respectively, based on the wool stone of Edward III.
Weights and Measures Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 72)[71]Weights and Measures Act 1855 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for legalising and preserving the restored Standards of Weights and Measures. Citation 18 & 19 Vict. c. 72 Dates Royal assent 30 July 1855 Other legislation Amended by Statute Law Revision Act 1875 - An Act for legalising and preserving the restored Standards of Weights and Measures.
- The 1834 burning of Parliament had destroyed the physical standards referred to in earlier statues; the 1835 act ignored this fact. New copies were created in accordance with the advice of a scientific commission, and the 1855 act made them the "restored Standards".
... the Imperial Standard Pound Avoirdupois and shall be deemed to be the only Standard Measure of Weight from which all other Weights and other Measures having Reference ...
Weights and Measures Act 1859 (22 & 23 Vict. c. 56)[72]Weights and Measures Act 1859 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to amend the Act of the fifth and sixth years of King William the Fourth, chapter sixty-three, relating to weights and measures. Citation 22 & 23 Vict. c. 56 Dates Royal assent 13 August 1859 Other legislation Amended by Statute Law Revision Act 1875 - An Act to amend the Act of the fifth and sixth years of King William the Fourth, chapter sixty-three, relating to weights and measures.
Metric Weights and Measures Act 1864 (27 & 28 Vict. c. 117)[73]Metric Weights and Measures Act 1864 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to render permissive the Use of the Metric System of Weights and Measures. Citation 27 & 28 Vict. c. 117 Dates Royal assent 29 July 1864 - An Act to render permissive the Use of the Metric System of Weights and Measures.
Weights and Measures Act 1878 (41 & 42 Vict. c. 49)[74]Weights and Measures Act 1878 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to consolidate the Law relating to Weights and Measures. Citation 41 & 42 Vict. c. 49 Dates Royal assent 8 August 1878 Other legislation Repeals/revokes Amended by Text of statute as originally enacted - An Act to consolidate the Law relating to Weights and Measures.
- This statute abolished the troy pound, effective January 1879.[75]
Weights and Measures Act 1889 (52 & 53 Vict. c. 21)[76]Weights and Measures Act 1889 Act of Parliament Long title An Act for amending the Law relating to Weights and Measures and for other purposes connected therewith. Citation 52 & 53 Vict. c. 21 Other legislation Repealed by Weights and Measures Act 1963 Status: Repealed- An Act for amending the Law relating to Weights and Measures and for other purposes connected therewith.
Weights and Measures (Purchase) Act 1892 (55 & 56 Vict. c. 18)Weights and Measures (Purchase) Act 1892 Act of Parliament Citation 55 & 56 Vict. c. 18 Other legislation Repealed by Weights and Measures Act 1963 Status: Repealed
Weights and Measures Act 1893 (56 & 57 Vict. c. 19)Weights and Measures Act 1893 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to amend the Law relating to Weights and Measures. Citation 56 & 57 Vict. c. 19 Dates Royal assent 29 June 1893 Commencement 1 April 1894 Other legislation Repealed by Weights and Measures Act 1963 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted
Weights and Measures (Metric System) Act 1897 (60 & 61 Vict. c. 46)[77]Weights and Measures (Metric System) Act 1897 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to legalise the Use of Weights and Measures of the Metric System. Citation 60 & 61 Vict. c. 46 Dates Royal assent 6 August 1897 Other legislation Repealed by Weights and Measures Act 1963 Status: Repealed- An Act to legalise the Use of Weights and Measures of the Metric System.
- Weights and Measures Acts of 1878 to 1893
- This collective title encompassed the following Acts:[78]
- Weights and Measures Act 1878 (41 & 42 Vict. c 49)
- Weights and Measures Act 1889 (52 & 53 Vict. c 21)
- Weights and Measures (Purchase) Act 1892 (55 & 56 Vict. c. 18)
- Weights and Measures Act 1893 (56 & 57 Vict. c. 19)
20th century
Weights and Measures Act 1904 (4 Edw. 7 c. 28)[79]Weights and Measures Act 1904 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to amend the Law relating to Weights and Measures. Citation 4 Edw. 7 c. 28 Dates Royal assent 15 August 1904
Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act 1926 (16 & 17 Geo. 5 c. 8)Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act 1926 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to amend the law with respect to measuring instruments, and with respect to the power to charge fees in connection with the testing of weighing and measuring apparatus. Citation 16 & 17 Geo. 5 c. 8 Other legislation Repealed by Weights and Measures Act 1963 Status: Repealed
Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act 1926 | |
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Act of Parliament | |
![]() | |
Citation | 16 & 17 Geo. 5 c. 63 |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 15 December 1926 |
Other legislation | |
Repealed by | Weights and Measures Act 1963 |
Status: Repealed |
Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act 1926 (16 & 17 Geo. 5 c. 63)
Weights and Measures Act 1963[80][81][82] (c. 31)Weights and Measures Act 1963 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to make amended provision with respect to weights and measures, and for connected purposes. Citation 1963 c. 31 Dates Royal assent 31 July 1963 Other legislation Repeals/revokes - Weights and Measures Act 1889
- Weights and Measures (Purchase) Act 1892
- Weights and Measures Act 1893
- Weights and Measures (Metric System) Act 1897
- Weights and Measures Act 1904
- Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act 1926
- Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act 1926
- Weights and Measures Act 1936
- Weights and Measures, Sale of Coal (Scotland) Act 1936
Repealed by Weights and Measures Act 1985 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted
Weights and Measures etc. Act 1976[83] (c. 77)Weights and Measures &c. Act 1976 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to amend certain enactments relating to weights and measures; and to make provision for the alleviation of shortages of food and other goods. Citation 1976 c. 77 Dates Royal assent 22 November 1976 Status: AmendedText of statute as originally enacted Text of the Weights and Measures &c. Act 1976 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
Weights and Measures Act 1979[84] (c. 45)Weights and Measures Act 1979 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to make further provision with respect to weights and measures. Citation 1979 c. 45 Dates Royal assent 4 April 1979 Other legislation Repeals/revokes Cran Measures Act 1908 Repealed by Weights and Measures Act 1985 Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted - This Act introduces the average quantity principle for packaged goods into UK law for the first time. The 1979 Act was replaced by Part V of the 1985 Act.
Weights and Measures Act 1985[3][85] (c. 72)Weights and Measures Act 1985 Act of Parliament Long title An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to weights and measures. Citation 1985 c. 72 Dates Royal assent 30 October 1985 Commencement 30 January 1986 Other legislation Repeals/revokes - Weights and Measures Act 1963
- Weights and Measures Act 1979
Status: AmendedText of statute as originally enacted Text of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. - The Act defines the four primary units of measurement as the metre or the yard (defined in terms of the metre) for length, and the kilogram or pound (defined in terms of the kilogram) for mass. The Act also requires standard physical examples to be maintained (known as "United Kingdom primary standards") for each of the four primary units.
- In addition, the definitions of units which are multiples or sub-multiples of the primary units are defined, in terms of the primary units, and given as: mile, foot, inch, kilometre, decimetre, centimetre, millimetre, acre, square yard, square foot, hectare, decare, are, square metre, square decimetre, square centimetre, square millimetre, cubic metre, cubic decimetre, cubic centimetre, hectolitre, litre, decilitre, centilitre, millilitre, gallon, quart, pint, gill, fluid ounce, pound, ounce, ounce troy, tonne, kilogram, hectogram, gram, carat (metric) and milligram.
- As originally enacted, the act also defined, in the same way, units which could not be used for trade as: furlong, chain, square mile, rood, square inch, cubic yard, cubic foot, cubic inch, bushel, peck, fluid drachm, minim, ton, hundredweight, cental, quarter, stone, dram, grain, pennyweight, ounce apothecaries, drachm, scruple, metric ton and quintal.
- As of January 2020, following multiple amendments over the years since enactment, the metre, yard, kilogram and pound remain as the primary defined units and with the requirement to maintain the "United Kingdom primary standards" for them.
- At the same time, all the imperial units, except pint and ounce troy (but including all of those which were originally defined as not to be used for trade) were reclassified as being available for use for trade as supplementary indications, namely: mile, furlong, chain, yard, foot, inch, square mile, acre, rood, square yard, square foot, square inch, cubic yard, cubic foot, cubic inch, bushel, peck, gallon, quart, gill, fluid ounce, fluid drachm, minim, ton, hundredweight, cental, quarter, stone, pound, ounce, dram, grain, pennyweight, ounce apothecaries, drachm, scruple and quintal. The tonne was also reclassified as being available for use for trade as a supplementary unit of measure,[86]
Northern Ireland
Weights and Measures Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 | |
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Long title | An Act to make amended provision with respect to weights and measures and for connected purposes. |
Citation | 1967 c. 6 (N.I.) |
Territorial extent | Northern Ireland |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 25 April 1967 |
Other legislation | |
Amended by | Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 |
Status: Amended | |
Revised text of statute as amended |
- Weights and Measures Act (Northern Ireland) 1967
Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 | |
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![]() | |
Citation | SI 1981/231 |
Territorial extent | Northern Ireland |
Dates | |
Made | 18 February 1981 |
Commencement | 18 March 1981 |
Other legislation | |
Amended by | Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 |
Status: Amended | |
Text of the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. |
- Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981
Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Long title | An Act to amend the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 to allow self-verification of weighing or measuring equipment, testing by official EEA testers and pre-test stamping. |
Citation | 2000 c. 5 (N.I.) |
Territorial extent | Northern Ireland |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 20 December 2000 |
Status: Current legislation | |
History of passage through Parliament | |
Revised text of statute as amended |
- Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2000
See also
References
- ^ Bennett, Keith (2004). The Metrology Handbook. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: American Society for Quality Measurement. ISBN 978-0-87389-620-7.
- ^ Ewart, William (1862). Report from the Select Committee on Weights and Measures (Report). Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- ^ a b "Weights and Measures Act 1985", Legislation.gov.uk, retrieved 25 September 2014
- ^ "Full Legislation List", Tradingstandards.gov.uk, Trading Standards Office, retrieved 25 April 2012
- ^ a b c Dilley, Robert (1975). "The Customery Acre: An Indeterminate Measure". The Agricultural History Review. 23 (2): 173–176.
- ^ a b "Statute". OED. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
- ^ "Tuesday, August 10, 1897" (PDF), The London Gazette, 10 August 1897, p. 4481
- ^ "House of Lords", Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), London, 22 July 1897, col. 695–696
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Weights and Measures Act 1985 (c. 72), section 8(2)(d)". Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
- ^ "The Measuring Instruments (Capacity Serving Measures) Regulations 2006 (No. 1264)". Statutelaw.gov.uk. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
- ^ "House of Lords", Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), London, 25 February 2010, col. 1081–1083
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Verheugen, Günter (11 September 2007), "Exclusive: Your pint safe in EU hands", Ec.europa.eu, retrieved 10 November 2007
- ^ "Clearing Up the Metric Muddle", Tradingstandards.gov.uk, Gloucester: Trading Standards Office, 4 April 2010, retrieved 24 April 2012
- ^ "The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations (2006)", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2006/659
- ^ Thorpe, Benjamin (1840). "The Laws of King Edgar". Ancient Laws and Institutes of England; Comprising Laws enacted under the Anglo-Saxon Kings from Æthelbirht to Cnut, With an English Translation of the Saxon; The Laws called Edward the Confessor's; The Laws of William the Conqueror, and those ascribed to Henry the First: Also, Monumenta Ecclesiastica Anglicana, From the Seventh to the Tenth Century; And the Ancient Latin Version of the Anglo-Saxon Laws. With a Compendious Glossary, &c (in Old English, Latin, and English). London: Commissioners of the Public Records of the Kingdom. p. 113.
- ^ Felix Liebermann (1903). Die gesetze der Angelsachsen: Text und übersetzung. Max Niemeyer. pp. 204–6. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ^ Thorpe (1840), p. 525.
- ^ a b Adams, John Quincy (1821). Report upon Weights and Measures: Prepared in Obedience to a Resolution of the Senate of the Third March, 1817. Washington: Gales & Seaton. p. 22.
- ^ a b Wilkins, David (1721). Leges Anglo-Saxonicæ Ecclesiasticæ & Civiles. Accedunt Leges Eduardi Latinæ, Guilielmi Conquestoris Gallo-Normannicæ, et Henrici I. Latinæ. Subjungitur Domini Henr. Spelmanni Codex Legum Veterum Statutorum Regni Angliæ, quæ ab ingressu Guilielmi I. usque ad annum nonum Henr. III. edita sunt. Toti Operi præmittitur Dissertatio Epistolaris admodum Reverendi Domini Guilielmi Nicolsoni Episcopi Derrensis De Jure Feudali Veterum Saxonum [The Anglo-Saxon Ecclesiastical and Civil Laws: The Laws of Edward in Latin, of William the Conqueror in Norman French, and of Henry I in Latin, to which is Appended the Legal Code of Old Statutes of the Kings of England of Lord Henry Spelman, which were Published from the Beginning of William I up to the 9th Year of Henry III, the whole work prefaced by the Epistolary Dissertation of the Most Rev. Lord William Nicolson, Bishop of Derry, on the Feudal Law of the Old Saxons] (in Latin, Anglo-Norman, and Old English). London: Wm. Bowyer for Rob. Gosling. p. 228.
- ^ Schmid, Reinhold, ed. (1858). Die Gesetze der Angelsachsen: In der Ursprache mit Uebersetzung, Erläuterungen und einem antiquarischen Glossar [The Laws of the Anglo-Saxons: In the Original Language with Translation, Explanatory Notes, and an Antiquarian Glossary] (in German, Old English, and Latin). Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus. p. 355.
- ^ Clarke, William (1767). The Connexion of the Roman, Saxon, and English Coins Deducing the Antiquities, Customs, and Manners of Each People to Modern Times; Particularly the Origin of Feudal Tenures, and of Parliaments: Illustrated throughout with Critical and Historical Remarks on Various Authors, both Sacred and Profane. London: W. Bowyer & J. Nichols. p. 150.
- ^ Wilkins[19] & Folkes, cited by Clarke,[21] cited by Adams.[18]
- ^ Alfred Edward Bland; Richard Henry Tawney (1919). English economic history: select documents. Macmillan Co. pp. 154–5. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
- ^ The public general acts. Proprietors of the Law Journal Reports. 1863. p. 270. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ Smith, Adam (1827) [first published 1776]. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Harvard University Press. p. p. 77. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
- ^ Ruffhead, Owen, ed. (1763a). The Statutes at Large (in English, Latin, and nrf). Vol. I: From Magna Charta to the End of the Reign of King Henry the Sixth. To which is prefixed, A Table of the Titles of all the Publick and Private Statutes during that Time. London: Mark Basket for the Crown. pp. 22.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ Transactions of the Royal Historical Society. London: Royal Historical Society. 1880. pp. pp. 83–84. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ^ a b Ruffhead, Owen, ed. (1763a). The Statutes at Large (in English, Latin, and nrf). Vol. I: From Magna Charta to the End of the Reign of King Henry the Sixth. To which is prefixed, A Table of the Titles of all the Publick and Private Statutes during that Time. London: Mark Basket. pp. 148–149.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ Ruffhead (1763a), p. 227.
- ^ Ruffhead (1763a), p. 241.
- ^ a b Ruffhead (1763a), p. 264.
- ^ Ruffhead (1763a), p. 279.
- ^ Pickering, Danby, ed. (1762). The Statutes at Large (in English, nrf, and Latin). Vol. II: From the Fifteenth Year of Edward III. to the Thirteenth Year of King Hen. IV. inclusive. To which is prefixed, A Table containing the Titles of all the Statutes during that Period. Cambridge: Joseph Bentham for Charles Bathurst. pp. 85–86.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ Ruffhead (1763a), pp. 290–291.
- ^ Ruffhead (1763a), p. 348.
- ^ Ruffhead (1763a), p. 387.
- ^ Ruffhead (1763a), p. 401.
- ^ Ruffhead (1763a), p. 405.
- ^ Ruffhead (1763a), p. 485.
- ^ Ruffhead (1763a), p. 499.
- ^ ?. 1864. pp. 5–6.
- ^ Ruffhead (1763a), pp. 542–544.
- ^ a b Ruffhead (1763a), p. 594.
- ^ Evans, William David; et al., eds. (1836). A Collection of Statutes connected with the General Administration of the Law; Arranged According to the Order of Subjects: With Notes, 3rd ed.. Vol. VIII. London: W.H. Bond & al. pp. 309–310..
- ^ Evans (1836), pp. 312–313.
- ^ Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. London: Royal Society. 1856. pp. https://books.google.com/books?id=gxxMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA753 753–754. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ Pickering, Danby, ed. (1763d). The Statutes at Large (in English and Latin). Vol. IV: From the First Year of King Richard III. to the Thirty-first Year of King Henry VIII. inclusive. To which is prefixed, A Table containing the Titles of all the Statutes during that Period. Cambridge: Joseph Bentham for Charles Bathurst. pp. 219–223.
- ^ a b Pickering (1763d), p. 252.
- ^ Ruffhead, Owen, ed. (1763b). The Statutes at Large. Vol. II: From the First Year of King Edward the Fourth To the End of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. To which is prefixed, A Table of the Titles of all the Publick and Private Statutes during that Time. London: Mark Basket for the Crown. p. 442.
- ^ Pickering, Danby, ed. (1763f). The Statutes at Large. Vol. VI: From the First Year of Q. Mary, to the Thirty-fifth Year of Q. Elizabeth, inclusive. To which is prefixed, A Table containing the Titles of all the Statutes during that period. Cambridge: Joseph Bentham for Charles Bathurst. p. 96.
- ^ Pickering (1763f), p. 342.
- ^ Pickering (1763f), p. 433.
- ^ Ruffhead (1763b), p. 676.
- ^ Pickering (1763f), p. 444.
- ^ Pickering, Danby, ed. (1763g). The Statutes at Large. Vol. VII: From the Thirty-ninth Year of Q. Elizabeth, to the Twelfth Year of K. Charles II. inclusive. To which is prefixed, A Table containing the Titles of all the Statutes during that Period. Cambridge: Joseph Bentham for Charles Bathurst. pp. 353–355.
- ^ Pickering, Danby, ed. (1763h). The Statutes at Large. Vol. VIII: From the Twelfth Year of King Charles II., to the Last Year of King James II. inclusive. To which is prefixed, A Table containing the Titles of all the Statutes during that Period. Cambridge: Joseph Bentham for Charles Bathurst. pp. 287–289.
- ^ Pickering (1763h), pp. 353–355.
- ^ Townsend, George Henry (1877). The Manual of Dates: A Dictionary of Reference to All the Most Important Events in the History of Mankind to be Found in Authentic Records. Frederick Warne. p. p. 175. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
- ^ Brewster, D., ed. (1830). "Bushel". The Edinburgh Encyclopaedia. p. p. 150. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
- ^ Raithby, John; et al., eds. (1811). The Statutes at Large, of England and of Great-Britain: From Magna Carta to the Union of the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. VI: From 8 William III. A.D. 1696.—To 6 Anne, A.D. 1707. London: George Eyre & Andrew Strahan for the Crown. pp. 274–277..
- ^ Raithby (1811), p. 349.
- ^ Raithby (1811), p. 607.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Gerald Augustus Robert; et al., eds. (1871). The Statutes: Revised Edition. Vol. II: William & Mary to 10 George III. A.D. 1688—1770. London: George Edward Eyre & William Spottiswoode. pp. 719–720..
- ^ Pickering, Danby, ed. (1795), The Statutes at Large: Continued., vol. XL: The Fifth Session of the Seventeenth Parliament of Great Britain., Cambridge: John Burges for J. Johnson & al., pp. 363–365
- ^ Runnington, Charles, ed. (1798), The Statutes at Large, vol. XIII or XVII: From the Thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, To the Thirty-eighth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, inclusive. To which is prefixed, A Table of the Titles of all the Public and Private Statutes during that Time. With a Copious Index., London: George Eyre & Andrew Strahan for the Crown, pp. 677–679
- ^ Evans (1836), pp. 325–327.
- ^ "An Act for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures (17 June 1824)" (PDF). legislation.gov.uk. 17 June 1824. Retrieved 19 January 2020.. (The date of coming into effect was 1 May 1825).
- ^ Evans (1836), pp. 306–327.
- ^ A Collection of the Public General Statutes Passed in the Fourth and Fifth Year of the Reign of His Majesty King William the Fourth, 1834, London: George Eyre & Andrew Spottiswoode for the Crown, 1834, pp. 217–226
- ^ A Compendious Abstract of the Public General Acts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: 5 & 6 William IV.—1835; Being the First Session of the Twelfth Parliament of Such United Kingdom, from the Law Journal. Vol. XIII. London: James Holmes for Edward Bret Ince. 1835. pp. 137–145.
- ^ A collection of public general statutes passed in the 18th and 19th years of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. 1855. pp. 273–75. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
- ^ Great Britain (1859). The statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1807–1865). His Majesty's statute and law printers. pp. 164–8. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ Great Britain (1864). A collection of the public general statutes passed in the ... year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria ... pp. 575–7. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ Great Britain (1878). Statutes at large. pp. 308–341. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
- ^ Chaney, Henry James (1911). Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 477–494, see page 480. . In
- ^ Sir Christopher Rawlinson (1903). The municipal corporations acts and other enactments: relating to the powers and duties of municipal corporations thereon. Sweet & Maxwell, 1903. pp. 445–52. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
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- ^ The Short Titles Act 1896, s. 2(1) & Schedule 2.
- ^ Great Britain. Board of Trade (1907). Weights and measures acts, 1878–1904. HMSO. p. 3. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ "UK Public General Act 1963 c. 31". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ "The Weights and Measures Regulations 1963". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ Zupko, Ronald Edward (1990). Revolution in measurement: Western European weights and measures since the age of science. American Philosophical Society. p. 261. ISBN 978-0-87169-186-6. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ^ "Weights and Measures &c. Act 1976". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ "Weights and Measures Act 1979" (PDF). legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
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- ^ "Weights and Measures Act 1985, Schedule 1 (13 June 2020)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
External links
- Text of the Weights and Measures &c. Act 1976 (c. 77) as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
- Text of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 (c. 72) as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
- Confident Consumers – Buying and Selling – Weights and Measures from the Department of Trade and Industry
- A Dictionary of Units Originally from Exeter University
- Thoburn v Sunderland City Council (2002)
- List of English / British monarchs in whose name weights and measures legislation was enacted