§ SIR DAVID WEDDERBURNsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been directed to the reports in the "North British Daily Mail," as to the systematic infringements or evasions of the "Truck" Act in the mining districts of Scotland; and, whether, if those reports are accurate, he proposes to take any steps to enforce the Law, or otherwise to remedy the state of things complained of?
MR. BRUCEsaid, in reply, that he had received the reports to which the question of the hon. Baronet referred, He would not, however, vouch for the accuracy of those reports as they bore on each particular case. There appeared to be, however, very little doubt that there was a very wide and systematic 1886 infringement of the Truck Act in Scotland. He would take an opportunity of consulting with the Lord Advocate as to the expediency of taking any steps in connection with the subject.