§ MR. MUNDELLAasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is true, as reported in "The Lincoln Gazette" of the 10th of April, that at the Kesteven Petty Sessions Grason Wattam, a farm servant, was ordered to pay 2s. 6d. compensation and 9s. 6d. costs, for disobeying the orders of his employer in not going to church on Good Friday; and, if so, whether the conviction for breach of contract was under the Master and Servant Act; and, whether the conviction was legal?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, in answer to the hon. Member I shall read the statement I have received. The in- 1280 formation alleged that Grason Wattam, on the 26th day of March, did unlawfully refuse to obey the orders of his employer, and did also there and then absent himself from his service without just cause or lawful excuse. The defendant pleaded guilty. The employer complained of general misconduct and disobedience of orders—that on Good Friday he not only refused to attend a place of worship in compliance with the rules of his employer, but absented himself all the afternoon and night without leave, and did not return till the following morning; consequently his duties had to be performed by another servant, to whom the employer paid 2s. 6d. for so doing. Wattam was not fined 2s. 6d., but was ordered to pay that sum as compensation to the employer, together with 9s. 6d. for costs.