§ MR. BROADHURSTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that the distress in Sunderland is considerably intensified by the existence of a character note system in use among employers, which renders it difficult, if not impossible, for unemployed Sunderland workmen to obtain employment in other localities by reason of there having been a strike in Sunderland; and, if the Government will propose any legislation to deal with the matter?
§ MR. HIBBERT (for Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT)At the request of the Secretary of State, the Local Government Board directed one of their Inspectors to inquire into this matter; and his Report is to the effect that the Believing Officers in the Sunderland Union know of no instance in which relief has been applied for, and the character note system alleged as the cause of destitution. The Inspector further states that he was informed there was nothing of the character note system in use among employers in any other branch of the industries connected with shipbuilding, 40 except the engine fitters, and that no application has come from those men for relief. But the result of his inquiries appears to indicate that there may have been, in some instances, an indisposition on the part of employers to employ men on strike, though he concludes, on the whole, that the character note system has not affected the distress. Under the circumstances, the Government do not intend to propose any legislation.