§ *MR. A. BIRRELL (Fife, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers in buying feeding stuffs for cattle are required to pay to the last pound, but are not able to obtain the weight of their fat cattle in auction markets also to the last pound where dial weighing machines are in use; whether the Board will in future decline to seal or otherwise sanction dial weighing machines on the ground that they are neither "sufficient nor suitable" within the meaning of the Act of 1891; and whether he will introduce a Bill to give a statutory definition of what is sufficient and suitable accommodation for weighing cattle?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. HERBERT C. GARDNER, Essex, Saffron Walden)I am aware that dial weighing machines are in use which are not, and, indeed, which cannot be graded so as to show pounds; but I am not prepared in the present state of agricultural opinion to say that such machines are ipso facto, insufficient and unsuitable. I am quite willing, however, to receive, and, if possible, to give effect to, any representations which may be made to me by farmers using a particular market or mart. It does not appear to me to be desirable or necessary to attempt further legislation on this subject in the direction suggested by my hon. Friend.