§ THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, in view of the statement of the Attorney General that no provision in the Truck Acts renders illegal the collection by employers of the voluntary contributions of their employés in aid of a public hospital without the written consent of each employé, he will instruct the Inspector of Factories in Belfast that employers there may, as heretofore, collect, without the formality of written consent, the voluntary contributions of their employés in aid of hospitals in Belfast?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)The Inspector has not interfered to prevent the collection by employers of voluntary contributions by the men. He has explained to the employers that if such collection is made by way of deduction from wages, without the written assent of the workmen, it would appear to be contrary to the Statute. I do not understand that this is contrary to the law as stated by the Attorney General. Both the Inspector and the employers are, however, now aware of the opinion of the Attorney General on this particular point, and they will be guided in their action accordingly.