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

In answer to the noble Lord, this issue comes under DIUS because the department deals with national weights and measures. It is not technically an administrative burden, but we are still looking for a reduction of 25 per cent. When the noble Lord drew my attention to the fact that the document is 60 pages long, I thought that those of us who watched the antics of the Circumlocution Office in ““Little Dorrit”” cannot help but think that there is probably some latter-day relevance to them. I agree that this ought to be part of the process of reducing regulation, but I am glad that the noble Lord shares our view that this issue is worthwhile if costs to business are reduced and procedures made simpler. I agree with the point made by the noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley, about both the speed of response and competition. That will help the process, as it seems to be common sense that the verifiers will be able to do the work instead of having to call out the inspectors. I was asked who monitors the monitors, or verifies the verifiers, and I am reliably informed that trading standards officers will operate in this area. I am also informed—and I share this exact concern, because I have often pushed back a pint of beer when more than an inch of it was foam—that it will apply to beer pumps as well. As for that other legendary red figure, I noticed in the papers the other day that a teacher had been dismissed for denying that he exists. Far be it from me, then, to upset those noble Lords who still believe in the existence of that red-coated figure. Other than that, I commend this order to the Committee. Motion agreed.