§ MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Inspector of Weights and Measures at Margate was dismissed some weeks ago, and that the Town Council have not yet appointed his successor; whether he is aware that, in the meantime, a large number of the Margate tradesmen are waiting to have their scales stamped under the recent Act of Parliament, and that, as the season is now commencing, the matter is urgent; and whether he will communicate with the Town Council, and urge them to appoint an Inspector at once?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.The hon. Member is aware that the Inspector of Weights and Measures is the officer of the Local Authority, and not of the Board of Trade; but I have communicated with the Mayor of Margate and he informs me that there will be no unnecessary delay on the part of the Town Council in taking steps to insure that the provisions of the Weights and Measures Acts are properly administered in their district. Since the vacancy referred to by the hon. Member, one application only has been made for stamping a weighing instrument.