What sane government would consider the reintroduction of a system of weights and measures that has not been taught in schools for the best part of two generations (‘It makes no sense’: reaction to plan to revive imperial measurements in UK, 29 May)? A quick poll of my adult children suggests that most of their generation wouldn’t have any idea how many ounces there are in a pound, or fluid ounces in a pint. I assume that the restoration of pounds, shillings and pence cannot be far away, although given the fantasy world our government inhabits, perhaps galleons, sickles and knuts are their preferred option.
Keith Montgomery
Aberdeen
• I expect Boris Johnson’s next step will be the redefinition of the imperial yard as a measure of his, not King Henry’s, arm’s length. Taking into account his relationship with the truth, however, the length of his nose might provide a better, if inflationary, metric.
Dr Richard Shillitoe
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
• It’s no surprise that the only archaic measurement Boris Johnson isn’t suggesting that we bring back is scruples.
Peter Bartram
Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
• Why stop at bringing back imperial measures? Perhaps the government could level up by reintroducing fahrenheit – 32F seems so much warmer than 0C in an energy crisis.
Stuart Taylor
Wantage, Oxfordshire
• The resurrected imperial/metric measurement controversy has been overtaken. On the radio this week, I heard the height of something being described as “three giraffes”.
Sue Durham
Cambridge
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