§ MR. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)On behalf of the hon. Member 1108 for West Islington (Mr. T. LOUGH), I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the powers for testing gas meters do not enable local authorities to examine the correctness with which the dial-plate registers, but only the internal machinery, and that even if this internal machinery of the meter works properly, it is possible for the dial to register an entirely wrong result; and whether, if he finds this to be the case, he will remedy this defect in the Gas Acts?
§ MR. RITCHIEI am advised that there is nothing in the Sale of Gas Act, 1859, to prevent inspectors examining the correctness with which the dial-plate registers, and I am informed that such a test is made, but only to the extent of the first dial.