§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAMI beg to ask the Lord Advocate if complaint has been made to him anent an alleged violation of the Ballot Act in connection with the election of a check-weigher at Knockterra Pit, near Cumnock, where the morning after said election sixteen of the workmen were dismissed, and the remainder taken aside [...]ne by one and asked by two managers [...]they had voted for the checkweigher; and what action he purposes taking in connection therewith?
MR. ROBERTSONComplaint was made to me on this subject by Mr. Keir Hardie, and I have had it inquired into. 948 It is clear that no punishable offence is constituted by the proceedings alleged to have taken place. Although the Mines Act contemplates that the election of a checkweigher may be by Ballot, the Ballot Act does not apply to such elections. In the present instance, indeed, the election was not in any propor sense a Ballot election, as the voting papers were openly delivered and openly returned. The case, therefore, is not one in which I can take any action.
§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)Has the Lord Advocate received his information from the employers or the workmen?