§ MR. BRUNNER (Lancashire, Leigh)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will grant a Return showing the number of stamping-stations under the Weights and Measures Acts which are located on premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor.
§ The next Question on the Paper was as follows:—
MR. BRUNNERTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that stamping stations under the weights and measures Acts are frequently on premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor; and whether he will issue a circular to local authorities pointing out that this practice is undesirable.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. CHURCHILL, Dundee)I propose to answer this Question and that appearing next on the Paper to- 464 gether. The Weights and Measures Regulations provide that unless no other suitable promises are available a stamping-office shall not be on premises where intoxicating liquors are sold. Some latitude is necessary on account of the difficulty of finding suitable temporary premises in small villages, and from certain information in my possession, of which I will furnish my hon. friend the details it he wishes, it would seem that 19 county authorities possess among them 231 stamping-stations on licensed premises. Altogether there are 1,000 stamping-stations in these counties. I propose to obtain more complete information, and where the number of stamping-stations on licensed premises appears on the face of it to be excessive, the attention of the authority will be called to the matter. When the information is complete I will consider the desirability of issuing a Return.
§ MR. BRUNNERI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade has raised any objection to the use of police-stations as stamping-stations under the Weights and Measures Acts.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Board of Trade have no objection to the use of police stations as stamping-stations provided the accommodation is adequate.