asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether as the licensed trade standard bottle is coming into force on the 1st January, 1928, and in view of the fact that huge stocks are in hands by the traders (wholesale and retail) he would consider the advisability of altering the date from the 1st January, 1928, to March 31st, 1928, thus giving time to have these stocks disposed of.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - THE STANDARD BOTTLE.
The question of a limited extension of the time prescribed by Regulation 11 of the Standard Bottles Regulations, 1926, has been under consideration, but a decision has not yet been reached. One serious difficulty in favourably considering such an extension has been created by the fact that although the Regulations have been in force since February of last year, the licensed traders in several areas have not given the necessary facilities to the Weights and Measures Inspectors to enable their stocks of bottles to be verified; and there is no indication that an extension of the period would effect any substantial improvement in this position.
Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to try to learn the lesson that the Minister for Industry and Commerce learned from me on a former occasion, that is, to speak up and to speak distinctly?