§ MR. STEPHEN CAVEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether recommendations have been addressed by the Home Department to Chairmen of Quarter Sessions, to the effect that local inspectors of weights and measures should report deficiencies in the weights and measures used in Regimental Canteens to the War Office, instead of taking proceedings in the ordinary way; and, if so, upon what provision of Law these recommendations are founded?
MR. BRUCE, in reply, said, it was true that, upon the representation of his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that complaints had been made as to the weights and measures used in canteens, and on his request that a civil officer should be appointed for the purpose of ascertaining the accuracy of those weights and measures, he (Mr. Bruce) addressed a Circular to the Chairmen of Quarter Sessions to make arrangements for the inspection of canteens by the inspectors of weights and measures. That 1964 had been done in some cases; in others the Chairmen of Quarter Sessions stated they had no power to order such inspection. He was not aware that there was any law for the inspection of canteens by the inspectors of weights and measures, nor did he think any such provision necessary. No proceedings were to be taken by inspectors; all they would do was to report to the War Office, which would then adopt such a course as they might think proper.