I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. This Bill is introduced for the purpose of authorising the use of certain standards in the custody of the Department of Industry and Commerce for the purpose of comparing and verifying other standards in the possession of inspectors of weights and measures by which, in turn, the accuracy of weights and measures used by traders, can be tested. Weights and measures inspectors have in their possession two sets of standards of weights and measures which are termed respectively, the local standards and the working standards. The working standards are used locally for the purpose of periodically testing the weights and measures and weighing and measuring instruments used in connection with the sale of commodities, and the accuracy of these working standards is insured by a comparison periodically with the local standards which are kept by the inspectors and which are used only for the purpose of reference and comparison. Before the establishment of Saorstát Eireann, the accuracy of these standards was tested by comparison with standards in the possession of the Board of Trade, and this Bill is to provide that the accuracy of standards will be verified by periodical comparision with the standards in the Department of Industry and Commerce.
The comparison of standards, being a matter which requires great accuracy and involving examination of a considerable number of articles which are submitted to the headquarters of the Department from stations throughout the country, must necessarily be a very slow process and, accordingly, it is proposed to allow for this comparison a period of two years from the passing of the Act so as to ensure that all such standards must be duly verified and the necessary adjustments and repairs, if required, carried out. The Bill further provides that any comparisons, which have hitherto been made for the purposes of the Weights and Measures Acts of 1878 to 1928, shall be deemed to be valid and effective. I may say that it is the intention to introduce proposals for legislation to codify and amend the existing Weights and Measures Acts, but the preparation of these proposals will take some time. It will be an involved and very technical type of Bill and it is desired to have this Bill enacted forthwith on that account as a temporary measure so as to ensure that the validity of the standards in use will be secured.