asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any statutory regulations on weights and measures are at present in force; and if he will comment on these in the light of modern needs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Weights and Measures Regulations.
15.
Regulations on weights and measures for which I am responsible are contained in the Weights and Measures (General) Regulations, 1928, made in pursuance of the Weights and Measures Acts. In general, these regulations relate to the methods of testing weights, measures and weighing and measuring instruments including the tolerances to be allowed in the tests. I consider that the provisions of these regulations are adequate to cope with present needs in the field with which they deal.
Modern developments, however, particularly in relation to pre-packaging make it necessary to supplement weights and measures legislation, and I propose to introduce a Bill which will provide for the labelling of certain pre-packed goods with the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure or number, and will permit of the standardisation in certain cases of the quantities which may be contained in a pre-packed container. Preparation of the Bill has reached an advanced stage.
Some changes in weights and measures regulations will, of course, be necessary as the move towards the metric system develops.
In drafting that Bill, could we ask the Minister's colleague to have special regard not only to weight but to net weight of the contents?
As far as I remember, the position is that what you can catch a person on is that the declared weight has to be the weight.
Net weight: it is very subtle and difficult.
Yes.
Has there been any decision yet as to the Budget date?
No.