§ LORD COLCHESTERrose to call attention to the Report of the Standards Commission, 1870, relative to inspection of weights and measures, and asked, Whether any legislation on the subject was contemplated? The Standards Commission, of which he had had the honour to be a Member, had inquired very carefully into the subject. They reported that in various parts of England the weights and measures differed very much, and the system was so defective that weights and measures were in many places false. In some parts of the country the inspection appeared to be satisfactorily carried out, in some it was indifferent, and in some it was altogether unsatisfactory. In small shops particularly, articles sold by weight were often found deficient. It was not to be supposed that the manufacturers of scales and weights were to blame for the frauds committed on the public; but he had heard of a ease where an order was given for scales and weights for Australia, which were expressly directed to be false. In this case the order was indignantly declined, but it was plainly the intention of the parties giving that order to cheat the purchasers. He thought it objectionable that the Inspectors of Weights and Measures in small towns should be appointed by the town councils; because many of the members of those town councils were small shopkeepers, with whom they would, in the transactions of their business, have intercourse. The Commission reported so long back as 1870, and the subject had not been touched since. There might be some practical difficulties in the way; but he thought their Lordships and the country should have some information as to whether the Government meant to intro- 1077 duce any important changes, and that such changes, if contemplated, would not be much longer delayed. True, the question was not an exciting one; but it was an important one, nevertheless, because it had direct relation to the suppression of dishonest practices, and affected in no small degree the welfare of the poor.
§ EARL COWPERadmitted that the question introduced by the noble Lord was an important one. The Government were alive to its importance and the suggestions of the Standards Commission were receiving their careful consideration; but, owing to the great pressure of legislative business, they had not yet been able to completely frame a measure on the subject. He agreed that the present system of inspection was most irregular and unsatisfactory, and that there was great need of some central control over the Inspectors, and he thought that that general supervision might be properly committed to the Board of Trade. He hoped that next Session a Bill on this subject now under the consideration of the Board of Trade and partly prepared would be introduced.