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Legislative Reform (Verification of Weighing and Measuring Equipment) Order 2008

I think that I am the ““Lord High Substitute”” today because I am now speaking on behalf of my noble friend Lady Sharp of Guildford. We, too, welcome the order. It is clear that some local authorities may lose a little revenue because of it, but since this is only a matter of cost recovery, it is not really a matter of concern. What matters is how it will affect consumers and retailers. Local authorities will lose a certain amount of monopoly in this regard. That will open things up to more competition which, it is hoped, will ensure that charges are reduced for end users, those who buy the products being measured. However, competition is not always just about costs—sometimes speed of response can give a competitive edge. Nothing is more frustrating than pulling into a petrol station and finding that half of the pumps have those ““out of use”” sleeves over them. You then have to back out and find somewhere else. If more competition means that the situations described by the Minister are verified or put right quickly, it will be a good thing for the motorist. Can the noble Lord tell us a little more about how the verification will be monitored? I think that there are to be spot checks by weights and measures inspectors. Will these be carried out with or without notice? Will there be any effect on the retailer while they are being carried out? For example, will the petrol pump be out of use for an extended period? How will the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills ensure that the inspection of the verification system is sufficiently robust? How often, for example, will tests be carried out and how much will the department spend on this? It is a matter of consumer confidence that these measures are carried out robustly. Given the economic outlook, every penny and every millilitre counts, so it is important that consumer confidence is not eroded. Although these measures are mainly connected with the production of beer in breweries, I assume that they will also affect the amount of beer being dispensed at the pump in pubs, and hopefully ensure that pubs do not get away with serving half a glass of beer and half of foam, particularly at this time of year when people want to celebrate. That brings me to my final serious question for the Minister. There is a very disconcerting rumour that someone is going around the country impersonating Members of your Lordships’ House by wearing red robes trimmed with white fur and dispensing large quantities of goodwill to all men without the benefit of weights and measures inspectors or indeed any form of verification. Can the Minister tell me whether this person really exists? If it is the case, what are the Government going to do about it?