§ MR. GREERasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, in consequence of the 3½ lb. weight being one of great convenience to many traders, being an aliquot part of the 7 lb. weight, and all other standard weights upwards, he will take into consideration the desirableness of legalising such weight in addition to present standard weights?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINSir, there are two objections to the suggestion of the hon. Member. The first is that the multiplication of standards throws considerable expense on the local authorities; and the second is that the provision of a new standard weight so like to the existing 4 lb. weight would be the cause of inconvenience, and possibly of fraud. In these circumstances, I shall not be able to comply with the request unless there is a very general demand for such a weight. As a matter of fact, I have only had three applications for it during the last 12 months.