I NOTE your report on the instructions of Jacob Rees-Mogg Esq to his new staff in the Office of Leader of the House of Commons, on the use of language and other matters ("Rees-Mogg tells new staff to use Imperial measurement", The Herald, July 27) .

Whilst I do not fully agree with his diktat on using only Imperial measurements, he identifies again our half-hearted attempt at metrication and adoption of System International which commenced in UK in 1965. Most scientists, engineers and educationalists have embraced the use of metric units, but there are various everyday exceptions giving us a confusing mixture of Imperial and metric units.

Distances on road signs are still quoted in miles whilst we measure, for example, kitchen units in the metric dimension of millimetres.

On foods and beverages we seem to prefer buying our vegetables in pounds and our beer in pints.

Body weights in kilograms mean very little to us all, except possibly medical staff – we generally stick with stones and pounds to monitor how heavy we are.

His advice on "checking your work" is so important and often overlooked in today’s rushed world. His insistence on insertion of a double space after full stops leads to much better presentation and improves clarity in the written word.

On language he justifiably bans certain words and phrases, some presumably due to incorrect usage, but others because of lack of meaning or precision, or simply to avoid text-speak, acronyms or most importantly office jargon.

Primarily from the world of business I would offer a few more suggested additions to his list :

As soon as possible – so vague with no target timescale and apparent lack of commitment.

Blue sky thinking and thinking outside the box – in ordinary language surely these translate to "just doing your job"

To be honest or in actual fact or the reality is –are you suggesting you were not telling the truth previously?

Going forward – at least we are not going backwards.

At this moment in time – do you mean "now"?

Get the ball rolling – simply "begin".

Gain traction – become more popular.

We are where we are – where else could we be?

Low-hanging fruits – easy targets or goals to achieve with minimal effort.

With respect – usually means the opposite.

Whatever – I totally disagree with you but I am not wasting my energy even discussing it further with you.

See you later – a farewell comment widely used even when there is no chance of ever meeting again.

Dancing round the camp-fire – no one is prepared to make a decision.

Please enjoy your free complimentary water on us without charge – just in case you did not get the message on the card in the hotel room.

Literally – as in "I literally died when I heard about it"

I am sure there are many more which your readers can share through these pages.

Robin M Brown, Milngavie.

ALTHOUGH in no way sharing his politics, I have to admit to a sneaking fondness for Jacob Rees-Mogg, a character who has leapt fully buttoned up from the pages of Wodehouse fiction. He adds distinction and colour to the Front Bench with his careful diction and languid drawl and delivery, the counterpoint to his PM's rowdy and rumbustious rhetoric.

His instructions on what he finds permissible in language usage to his Westminster staff are to be welcomed and should be adopted more widely not only within Parliament but also in the outside world where the language louts litter the world with their laxity of language usage.

Attention to detail, insistence upon linguistic rigour and the reinstitution of high standards have to be applauded in our society where a laissez faire approach has led to supremely avoidable linguistic lapses.

His training in the Classics would appear to be directly responsible for his introduction of the rules laid down for those who work under him.

If only he could impose some order and control over his party leader 's effusions. Boris Johnson does not appear to have imbibed the lessons about precision and accuracy in the use of language, although his background was informed by immersion in Classics. Churchillian he is not.

The stock-in-trade of all politicians is words, which need to be employed carefully to enlighten rather than to obfuscate. For too long now the writing has been on the wall for correctness of linguistic usage with truth also falling into desuetude, the first casualty in the march of demagoguery.

Mr Rees-Mogg is showing the way with his respect for linguistic integrity, without which it is not possible to negotiate honestly.

Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs.

EGAD! Verily, verily I find myself bumfuzzled at the style directive to his ministerial staff from the shiny new Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, which lists words to be banned and a requirement to use Imperial measurements.

Hopefully (chosen from the banned list), Head Snollygoster Boris will take time off from his taradiddle and encourage his strange fellow Old Etonian to move into the 20th century.

I guess an advance into the 21st century would be a mile (1609.344 m), too far.

R Russell Smith, Kilbirnie.