§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether any prosecution has been actually commenced in the case of the breach of the Truck Acts reported at Bristol, and what has caused the delay; whether any, and what, prosecutions have taken place in the several cases of breaches of the Truck Acts reported at Armagh, Belfast, and Rhymney; and, in any case where prosecutions have not taken place, if he will state the reasons for the non-enforcement of the law?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am informed that the delay in commencing proceedings in the case of the breach of the Truck Acts at Bristol has been 1015 caused by the great difficulty in inducing persons to give evidence. Two cases have now been investigated, and the necessary evidence procured, and proceedings will be taken immediately. At Armagh the Inspector reports that he found the principals entirely ignorant of the provisions of the Truck Act and of its application to Ireland; and that after full investigation it does not appear to him a case for prosecution. In the Belfast case the only illegality was the absence of a written assent of the subscribers to the sick fund. This has been rectified. At Rhymney there is as yet no complete breach of the Act; and negotiations are in progress between the owners and men by which I hope all differences will be healed.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHinquired, whether at Bristol the complete evidence would not be ready for more than 10 days?
§ MR. MATTHEWSsaid, he was unable to give a definite answer.