§ Sir GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the numerous complaints of short weight in bread and coal, the discrepancies between the number of prosecutions in different inspectorial districts, as shown by the Board of Trade Report for 1908, and the uncertainty which exists in the public mind as to the administration of the Weights and Measures Acts and regulations, he will consider the advisability of appointing a permanent officer, whose duty it will be to 31 visit inspectorial districts throughout the country and report to the Board upon the manner in which the Acts and regulations are administered?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Board of Trade have no statutory power to appoint a permanent officer for the purpose mentioned in my hon. Friend's question, but under section 10 of the Weights and Measures Act, 1889, the Board may from time to time appoint an officer to hold a local inquiry with respect to the administration of the law relating to weights and measures within the jurisdiction of any local authority. I shall be glad to consider the question of making such an appointment under the section referred to if representations are made to me in any particular case.