§ Mr. SPENCER BALFOUR (Burnley)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to the decision, given on Wednesday last by the Queen's Bench Division, affirming that the exemption granted by the Home Secretary under the Act of 1872 from the provision that coal should be weighed where the amount of wages depended upon the quantity of mineral got, was valid under the Act of 1887; and, as to what course he proposes to take in view of such decision?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have seen the decision in question. Before taking any active steps I shall consider the re-1378 presentations of the parties interested, whether employers or employed. I may say that the inclination of my opinion is that all weighing exemptions inconsistent with the Act of 1887 should be revoked, unless the workmen as well as the employers desire their continuance.