HC Deb 23 July 1835 vol 29 cc950-1

The House went into Committee on the Weights and Measures Bill.

Several Clauses agreed to.

On Clause 19,

Mr. Estcourt

objected to it so far as it went to authorise stamping by local inspectors. It was the most objectionable part of the whole measure, as it led to great inconvenience and useless expense. He had before divided the Committee on it, and it was only carried by the casting vote of the noble Lord. The Chairman should be of no utility as a means of verification. He (Mr. Estcourt) would therefore propose that the Clause be altogether excluded

Mr. Warburton

was of opinion that, in conformity with the decision of 1830, it would be sufficient to have the name of the maker stamped on the weights and measures.

Lord Ebrington

defended the clause. Though the hon. and learned Member would abolish stamping, he would keep up the system of inspectors, which would then be really open to those charges of inconvenience that had been made against it. The object of the Bill was, not to provide against every fraud that might be committed, but simply to establish a uniformity of weights and measures. It would be in vain to attempt to effect any uniform use of the imperial measure without the stamp.

The Committee divided on the clause: Ayes 32; Noes 33—Majority 1.

House resumed.