§ 115. Mr. Butcherasked the Minister of Food whether he will indicate the nature of the complaints received about the accuracy of weighbridges at three official cattle-grading stations; whether these complaints were investigated; with what result; and what steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of such complaints.
§ Dr. Summerskill:In two cases the complaint was that the weighbridges were in an unsatisfactory state. Investigations were made and the inspector of weights and measures, who made special tests, 155W found one machine to be quite satisfactory, and the other, although still effective for its purpose, to require certain minor adjustments. In the third case it was alleged that the machine was totally unreliable and inaccurate. This machine was, in fact, out of action for three weeks in December, 1945, owing to a breakdown of the machinery under the platform. This was rectified by the makers and the machine was certified by the inspector of weights and measures on 19th December as in complete and satisfactory working order.
As regards the arrangements for the maintenance and servicing of weighbridges at collecting centres, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his Question on 13th March.