Graphical version

Senate House Library, University of London

Draft of a Weights and Measures Bill


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0096 MS 477

Held at: Senate House Library, University of London

Title: Draft of a Weights and Measures Bill

Date(s): 1815

Level of description: Collection (fonds)

Extent: 7 leaves

Name of creator(s): Unknown

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

The system of weights and measures in Great Britain had been in use since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Following a reform begun in 1824 the imperial standard yard was adopted in 1855. The imperial standards were made legal by an Act of Parliament in 1855.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Draft of a bill 'for the more effectual prevention of the use of false and deficient measures', 1815, with proposals including Justices of the Peace to appoint persons to examine the measures within their districts; a penalty of 5-20s on conviction; proper measures according to the standard made by the Exchequer to be purchased out of the general rate and deposited with the clerks of the peace; some form of conviction to be given. The draft is endorsed '9 March 1815. Copy to Mr [Samuel] Whitbread [M.P. for Bedford] per post'.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

Single item.

Conditions governing access:

Access to the items in the collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Access to archive collections may be restricted under the Freedom of Information Act. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

Physical characteristics:

16" x 10¼"

Finding aids:

Collection level description.

Detailed catalogue

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Bought from Percy Dobell in 1957.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

Publication note:

See Journal of the House of Commons, LXX, nos 31,38,59,168,248, and 55 Geo.III, c.43.

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions: Aug 2001


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Legal systems | Law
Legislation | Law
Metrology | Measurement | Scientific methods

Personal names
Whitbread | Samuel | 1764-1815 | politician

Corporate names

Places