§ MR. J. JOHNSONTo ask the secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at the Felling Colliery, in the county of Durham, the manager is employing other workmen than the ordinary weigher to test the weighing machine; and whether he will I inquire into the matter with a view to prevent a recurrence of the same.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have made inquiry into the matter, and 1262 am informed that in consequence of some trouble having been experienced in keeping the machine in order, and of its accuracy being questioned by the Inspector of Weights and Measures, the manager of the mine instructed the "heap inspector," or surface foreman, to test the machine occasionally. There is nothing in the Act to prevent this being done; it is left open to the management of the mine to satisfy itself as to the accuracy of the weighing machines in whatever way it thinks fit. The only statutory requirement in the matter is that facilities for examining and testing the weighing machines are to be given to the check-weigher, and this I understand is done. I have no power to interfere in the matter.