GMB asks NMO for Brulines information

23-Sep-2010 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2017 at 18:10 GMT

Related tags National measurement office Metrology

Brulines: GMB wants to have its say

But the GMB's bid to have its say on the beer flow equipment accreditation is likely to be denied, the Morning Advertiser understands.

A Freedom of Information request made by the GMB to the National Measurement Office (NMO) over the bid by Brulines to have its beer flow equipment accredited is likely to be denied, the Morning Advertiser understands.

The trade union, which is calling for a fairer deal for tied tenants, has asked the NMO to disclose all information in relation to its work with Brulines and Smart Cellar — and it also wants a meeting to raise its concerns over the equipment.

But the request is set to be denied because the work the NMO is carrying out is on a private basis for Brulines. The FOI would only be valid if the equipment fell under the Weights and Measures legislation.

Voluntary

However, last year Trading Standards and Local Government co-ordinator LACORS found that Brulines is not covered under section 11 of the Weights and Measures Act, which means it does not require official accreditation.

Brulines voluntarily entered into discussions with the National Measurement Office (NMO) to see if there any steps it could take to improve its methodology, calibrating or operating processes following the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee's recommendation that Brulines be officially calibrated.

As this is a private piece of work undertaken by the NMO, any FOI request would be denied as the information would be deemed commercially sensitive.

Cynical

"We regard Brulines approach to you on a private basis as a cynical attempt on their part to enlist the support of the NMO for equipment, the efficacy of which is facing numerous legal challenges across the country," said GMB general secretary Paul Kenny.

"We would urge the NMO to open up this matter to public scrutiny and allow the submission of evidence, which will allow the NMO to consider this highly contentious matter in the broader public interest."

He added: "It would be a scandal for the reputation of the NMO to be tarnished by this matter because work is not subject to public scrutiny, and carried out without the consideration of the wealth of additional evidence.

"We very much hope that the NMO will agree to a wider consideration of this matter."

An NMO spokesperson said the FOI request had been received and would be dealt with. "The NMO does offer a commercial testing service," it said.

Brulines did not wish to comment.