§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is now in a position to state why John Churchill was removed from his position as checkweighman at Northwood Colliery, Staffordshire; and, whether such removal was in accordance with the spirit of the Mines Act of last Session?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have seen a newspaper report of this case, from which I gather that the stipendiary was satisfied that the checkweighman in question had at the mine, to the detriment of the owners, acted in matters beyond his functions as checkweighman, and accordingly removed him. I have no power to interfere with this decision. So far as I am informed, it was within the jurisdiction of the stipendiary magistrate to make the order under section 13, (4) and (5), of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887. The spirit of that Act was to give the checkweighman full powers and facilities for the performance of his proper functions, and to confine him to those functions.
§ MR. FENWICKasked the right hon. Gentleman, whether he was aware that the checkweigher at this colliery had had for several years full liberty from the employers to post up notices calling meetings of the workmen together?
§ MR. MATTHEWSNo, Sir; I am not informed to that effect.