§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, having regard to the recent report of the Labour Correspondent of the Board of Trade on the condition of the nail makers and small chainmakers in South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire, the Government intend to introduce legislation next Session dealing with the subject; whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Report, that—
The result of the small domestic workshop system is, undoubtedly, the root of many if not all the evils from which the nail workers suffer;if so, what course the Government intend to take in reference to those workshops; and, whether it is the intention of the Government to deal with the question of female labour in those districts?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.), in reply, said, this was a matter that came within the scope of the Home Secretary's Department rather than his own, and he had directed a copy of the Report to be sent to his right hon. Friend, calling his special attention to the suggestions contained in the Report, and asking him to consider them. The subject was one which was full of difficulty, and he hoped that any persons with local knowledge of these industries would communicate their views as to the suggestions made in the Report.
§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAMasked, whether the right hon. Gentleman would institute an inquiry?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHsaid, this question had already been the subject of more than one inquiry.
§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAMasked, whether the House was to understand that there was to be no legislation on this subject?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHCertainly not.
§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAMsaid, he would move the Adjournment of 502 the House to-morrow in order to discuss the subject.