Deregulation (Weights and Measures) Order 1996

HC Deb 01 July 1996 vol 280 c263W

Mr. Steen

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated saving to business from the Deregulation (Weights and Measures) Order 1996. [34678]

Mr. John M. Taylor

The draft order contains three proposals to reduce the burdens on business:

• verification of weighing or measuring equipment by manufacturers and others;
• third party testing of equipment;
• pre-test stamping of equipment.

The total savings will depend on how many businesses take up these options. Assuming take-up by about half of the businesses that already have equipment verified, it is estimated that businesses might save £4.3 million per annum in fees formerly paid to trading standards officers, to which can be added savings in businesses' indirect costs less the cost of operating one or other of the new options.