HC Deb 10 May 1927 vol 206 cc180-1
1. Colonel DAY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any special regulations laid down by his Department with reference to the accuracy required for the installation of petrol pumps; and, if so, how many such pumps have received the sanction of his Department?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

Regulations under the Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act of last year have been drafted, and local authorities and others interested are being consulted upon them. Fifty-eight patterns of petrol-measuring instruments have been sanctioned by the Board of Trade as suitable for use in trade.

Colonel DAY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that petrol pumps which have just been installed at Sandringham and Windsor are varying only eight drops per gallon, and will he consider the introduction of these standards into the Weights and Measures Act?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I could not introduce anything by way of regulation into the Weights and Measures Act What happens is that the Board of Trade is sanctioning various types of pumps approved under the Act, and regulations to be carried out by local authorities are now being drafted.

Captain CROOKSHANK

Can the Board of Trade do anything to see that ugly pumps are not put up?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I am afraid my functions are utilitarian and not æsthetic.