HC Deb 16 May 1887 vol 315 cc57-8
MR. BARBOUR (Paisley)

asked the Lord Advocate, If his attention has been called to The Paisley Daily Express of the 4th and 6th instant, in which are alleged what appear to be breaches of the Truck Acts, by the contractors for the improvement of the River Cart; if he has taken steps to ascertain the truth, or otherwise, of those statements; and, if true, what steps are being taken for the enforcement of the law?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON) (Bute)

(who replied) said, the Lord Advocate's attention had been called to the matter, and an inquiry had been made. There was no doubt that proceedings such as those to which the Question referred constituted a distinct breach of the Truck Acts if done by an employer to whose business the Act applied; but the work in question did not fall within the present limited scope of the Acts, and it was, therefore, impossible to interfere.