§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)asked the Secretary of State 870 for the Home Department, Whether he has received any information respecting the appointment of one James Watts as checkweighman at Farrington Gurney, in Somersetshire; whether such appointment was made by a majority of the workmen voting by ballot; and, whether it is true that since his appointment the owner of the colliery has refused to allow him to perform his duties?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have received, just before I entered the House, a lengthy Report on the subject which I have scarcely had time to master, but from which I collect that the owner, who is also the manager of the colliery, has not received any intimation from the workmen of the appointment of Watts as checkweighman, and that from inquiry he has made he believes that no ballot has taken place for the appointment of Watts. Watts came to the colliery one afternoon after work had ceased, and interfered with the weighing machine without authority, being at the time in the employment of a neighbouring mine-owner, to whom he has not yet given notice to leave his employment. Watts was ordered away by the clerk.