§ 14. Mr. Dickensasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to make it voluntary, rather than obligatory, for markings on petrol pumps to be stamped by Customs and Excise officers whenever price adjustments are made, in the light of the high cost to the garage owners.
§ Mr. Peter ReesCustoms and Excise officers have no responsibility for markings on retail petrol pumps. I believe my hon. Friend has in mind the requirement, for certain types of petrol pump whose price mechanism must by law be sealed, that a weights and measures inspector must certify and reseal the pump when the price is changed. This is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade, and I understand that he is satisfied that the requirement is necessary to protect the consumer and prevent fraudulent adjustments to the pricing mechanism.