§ SIR JOHN KINLOCH (Perthshire, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the withdrawal of the facilities which have been provided in Scotland for years for 1373 the verification of standard weights and measures will compel the local authorities to send their weights and measures to London, involving carriage and agent's fees, besides delay in getting them back; and whether he will see his way to continue to provide facilities for verification in Scotland, as formerly?
§ MR. ALEXANDER CROSS (Glasgow, Camlachie)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the method of verifying the standard weights and measures hitherto followed in Scotland is to be altered, and a new plan inaugurated, under which local authorities will be required to send to London to have this effected; and whether he will reconsider this matter, and allow the same facilities in Scotland to remain as have been hitherto enjoyed there?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonI will answer the Questions together. They do not convey an accurate representation of the facts, inasmuch as the practice has been to hold occasional verifications in one or two places in Scotland to suit the convenience of local authorities. As a rule, verifications are made in London. The Board of Trade are, however, merely desirous of adopting the most convenient and least expensive course of administration, and, in order to arrive at a fair determination the Department has invited Members of the Glasgow Corporation to attend in London and discuss the subject.