§ MR. BURTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he has received a communication complaining of the employment by Mr. Le Casse, of Haydon, Norfolk, of juvenile criminals belonging to the Buxton Reformatory, in a case in which Mr. Le Casse's labourers were on strike resisting a reduction of wages and an increase in their hours of labour; and, whether such employment of criminals supported from the rates is according to Law?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSMy attention, Sir, has been called to the matter, and I have communicated upon it 1867 with the managers of the school. I think it right to say that in all cases these hoys should only be employed where it is quite clear that the kind of labour would not interfere with the honest labour of others. The general rule and understanding has been that where a dispute arises in regard to wages the reformatory boys are not to be employed. I entirely disapprove of the use made of them on this occasion, and I have so informed the managers, requesting them to take care that the boys shall not be used in a similar manner in future.