HC Deb 03 June 1889 vol 336 cc1802-4

Order for the consideration of the Bill as amended by the Standing Committee, read.

MR. BIGGAR

I object.

* SIR M. HICKS BEACH

I hope the hon. Gentleman will not persist in his objections. All my Amendments are of a verbal character, and none of the other Amendments are opposed.

Question, "That the Bill be now considered," put, and agreed to.

* MR. RAIKES

moved in page 5, after Clause 12, to insert the following Clause:—

  1. "An Inspector of weights and measures for any district shall, if required by the Postmaster General, verify and stamp, and from time to time inspect, the weights and measures and weighing instruments used in the Post Office.
    2. 1803
  2. The Board of Trade may from time to time, on the application and with the approval of the Postmaster General, make, vary, and revoke general regulations with respect to the procedure to be observed in the verification and stamping of the said weights and measures and weighing instruments, and the inspection thereof.
  3. No fee shall be payable by the Postmaster General, or by any person in his employ, for or in respect of any such verification, stamping, or inspection."

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this clause be added to the Bill."

MR. W. H. LAWSON (St. Pancras)

Are we to understand that the 3rd Sub-section provides that the London Authorities will have to stamp all the weights and measures used by the Post Office throughout the Metropolis without payment of any fee?

* SIR M. HICKS BEACH

It is obviously to the interest of the public that the Post Office weights and measures should be stamped. There is no law now providing that they shall be stamped, and being the property of the State, and being used for the public within the district, it is thought proper they should be stamped without payment of fee.

* MR. W. H. LAWSON

The Metropolis suffer already, because the fines in London will be paid to the National Exchequer, and not to the local account. I think fees should be paid to London, considering the vast amount of business transacted in connection with the Post Office for the whole country.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause added.

MR. POWELL WILLIAMS (Birmingham, S.)

I beg to move the new Clause, "Explanation of Law as to Bakers, 6 and 7 Will. 4, c. 37, s. 7," standing in the name of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Birmingham (Mr. Chamberlain).

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman cannot move an Amendment standing in the name of another hon. Member.

Other Amendments made.

* SIR M. HICKS BEACH

May I ask the House to read the Bill a third time?

MR. POWELL WILLIAMS

I object.

MR. CRAIG (Newcastle-on-Tyne)

I beg to move that the Bill be recom- mitted in order to move the insertion of the following new clause. In page 9, after clause 28, insert the following clause:—

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