§ 14. Mr. Oramasked the President of the Board of Trade what record is kept by his Department of local changes in weights and measures regulations which have been effected through the promotion of Private Bills by local authorities; and whether he will state the number of local authorities which have promoted such Bills since the publication of the Report of the Hodgson Committee.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. F. J. Erroll)The Board of Trade keeps a record of all local legislation extending or modifying the provisions of the Weights and Measures Acts. Since the publication of the Report of the Hodgson Committee in May, 1951, 33 Private Bills containing weights and measures Clauses have been promoted by 32 local authorities.
§ Mr. OramDoes not the fact that local authorities have found it necessary to promote legislation of this kind reveal that the national legislation is out of date and unnecessary? Ought not the Government, therefore, to take urgent steps to implement the proposals of the Hodgson Committee?
§ Mr. ErrollThe proposals of the Hodgson Committee will be introduced in the form of legislation in this House as soon as Parliamentary time permits.