§ MR. GARNETTsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of the Government to take any steps in accordance with the recommendation of the Astronomer Royal and the Comptroller-General, contained in the Letter of the latter of the 9th February, 1859, and the Report of the former gentleman, on the subject of the better administration of the Law with regard to Weights and Measures, and the organization of a separate office for that department.
§ MR. LAINGsaid, that the question raised by the Report of the Astronomer Royal, was no less a one than whether the Government should take upon themselves to establish a centralized agency for insuring uniformity of weights and measures throughout the kingdom. The connection of the Treasury with the subject was very slight; it merely related to seeing a standard of weights and measures deposited in the Exchequer; the extension suggested would fall within the department of the Home Secretary. He could not say that the Government had made up their minds to the introduction of any measure on the subject.