Weights and Measures Bill

HC Deb 28 June 1961 vol 643 cc50-2W

Mr. Leavey

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to make progress with the Weights and Measures Bill.

Mr. Maudling

It is now clearly impracticable to pass the Weights and Measures Bill through all its stages in this House in the present Session. The Bill has been fully discussed in another place and many useful amendments have been made or suggested. Public discussion has also brought out additional matters of interest to particular trades, consumers and local authorities. All these suggestions have received careful consideration, and it is clear that numer- ous amendments would have been required in Committee if time could have been found.

In the circumstances, I have decided to present in the near future a Weights and Measures (No. 2) Bill. This will include the amendments which I would have moved in Committee, and will show that the discussion of the present Bill in another place and by the public has not been abortive. Its publication at this stage will, I hope facilitate further Parliamentary consideration of the Measure by giving hon. Members and the public an early opportunity to study the Bill with the proposed Government amendments incorporated in it.