HC Deb 05 May 1989 vol 152 cc456-7

Amendment proposed [28 April]: No. 66, in page 1, line 5, leave out the words 'Secretary of State', and insert the words `local weights and measures authority for the area in which an applicant for a licence has his head office or his registered office'.—[Mr. Illsley.]

Question again proposed, That the amendment be made.

Amendment negatived.

Amendment made: No. 37, in page 1, line 5, after 'State' insert `,after consultation with any local weights and measures authority appearing to him to be concerned,'.—[Mr. Wiggin.]

9.37 am
Mr. Jerry Wiggin (Weston-super-Mare)

I beg to move amendment No. 38, in page 1, line 7, leave out 'installer or repairer'.

The Chairman of Ways and Means (Mr. Harold Walker)

With this, it will be convenient to consider the following amendments:

No. 30, in page 1, line 11, after 'determine', insert `but a licence may not be granted to any person employed by a manufacturer, installer or repairer of equipment to which section 11 of the 1985 Act applies.'.

No. 41, in page 2, line 5, at end insert— '(4A) the secretary of State may by order—

  1. (a) extend the application of this section to persons who carry on business as installers or repairers of equipment to which section 11 of the 1985 Act applies; and
  2. (b) provide that this section shall have effect in relation to such persons with such modifications as may be specified in the order;
and the power to make such an order shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.'

Mr. Wiggin

The amendment has been moved at the request of the Association of County Councils to allow the Government to take a longer-term view before including installers and repairers in the Bill.

Amendments agreed to.

Amendments made: No. 39, in page 1, line 10, after 'satisfies', insert `the Secretary of State as to the matters mentioned in subsection (1A) below and complies with'.—[Mr. Wiggin.]

No. 40 page 1, line 15, at end insert— '(1A) The matters referred to in subsection (1)(b) above are—

  1. (a) the adequacy of the quality assurance system which is to be adopted by the applicant;
  2. (b) the adequacy of the procedures which are to be so adopted for ensuring that any equipment which is passed and stamped by the applicant conforms to or complies with such of the following as are applicable to it, namely—
    3. 457
    1. (i) any pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval under section 12 of the 1985 Act is in force; and
    2. (ii) the requirements of regulations under section 15 of that Act (including in particular the requirement that the equipment should fall within the prescribed limits of error); and
  3. (c) the traceability to national measurement standards of any testing equipment which is to be used by the applicant.'

No. 41, in page 2, line 5, at end insert— '(4A) The Secretary of State may by order—

  1. (a) extend the application of this section to persons who carry on business as installers or repairers of equipment to which section 11 of the 1985 Act applies; and
  2. (b) provide that this section shall have effect in relation to such persons with such modifications as may be specified in the order;
and the power to make such an order shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.'—[Mr. Wiggin.]

Question proposed, That the clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

Mr. Ian Gow (Eastbourne)

I should like to address the Committee on the momentous issue whether the clause should stand part of the Bill. We may note in passing that even though this measure is of massive consequence, there is not a single representative of the Liberal party in his place.

The Committee has become accustomed to the Liberal party proclaiming to be the champion of the customer, but when the customer's interests are being debated we note the characteristic absence of the Liberal party. Naturally, I defer to the views of my right hon. Friend the Patronage Secretary and, having drawn the attention of the Committee to the matter, I shall resume my seat.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 1, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

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