(1)The Treasury may by order amend the customs and excise Acts for the purpose of—
(a)replacing any unit of measurement by a metric unit;
(b)replacing the proof system of ascertaining the alcoholic strength of spirits and other liquids by a system of measurement by reference to percentages of alcohol by volume;
(c)replacing any temperature expressed in degrees Fahrenheit by a temperature expressed in degrees Celsius;
(d)replacing any pressure expressed in atmospheres by a pressure expressed in millibars.
(2)Any amendment of an enactment under this section shall be such as to preserve the effect of the enactment except to such extent as the Treasury consider necessary to enable a substituted unit or method of measurement to be applied in a convenient and suitable manner.
(3)An order under this section may contain such transitional and other supplementary provisions as the Treasury think necessary.
(4)The power to make orders under this section includes power to vary or revoke a previous order and shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.
(5)Subject to subsection (6) below, any order under this section shall be laid before the House of Commons after being made; and unless it is approved by that House before the expiration of twenty-eight days beginning with the date on which it was made, it shall cease to have effect on the expiration of that period, but without prejudice to anything previously done thereunder or to the making of a new order.
In reckoning any such period no account shall be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which the House of Commons is adjourned for more than four days.
(6)Subsection (5) above shall not apply to any order containing a statement by the Treasury that the order does not involve a greater charge to duty or a reduction of any relief, drawback, rebate or allowance; and any such order shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Commons.