§ MR. RENDALL (Gloucestershire, Thornbury)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General why the weights and measures used by the Post Office are not subject to inspection by the official inspectors of weights and measures; what system exists for checking Post Office weights and scales; whether the Post Office checks its own weights and scales; and whether he will consider the advisability of arranging that a Government department which carries on business in competition with private traders should be subject as the latter to have their weights and scales inspected by inspectors appointed by the ordinary authorities.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar)Post Office weights and scales are not liable to inspection by the official inspectors because, although the question 137 was raised in this House, the Weights and Measures Acts have not been made binding on the Crown. The weights and scales are periodically tested by officers of the Post Office who are furnished for this purpose with standard weights. The existing arrangements are found satisfactory, and I see no reason for adopting the suggestion made in the latter part of the hon. Member's Question which would involve considerable additional cost.