HC Deb 07 March 1961 vol 636 c233
13. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take powers to provide for the regular testing of air pressure gauges used with motor-tyre pumps at public garages.

Mr. N. Macpherson

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any reason why he should do so.

Mr. Johnson

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is a considerable difference in the readings of pressure gauges at different garages? Is it not fraudulent to give a wrong reading to motorists who have to pay to have their tyres inflated? Will not my hon. Friend agree that in these days when motorways permit high speeds with modern cars it is essential, in the interests of safety, for motorists to know what pressure is in their tyres and to know it accurately?

Mr. Macpherson

Questions of road safety are matters for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. On the other part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, in this case one would be measuring physical conditions and it is not anticipated that we should be able to take such power as things are, even under the Weights and Measures Bill which is before the House