HC Deb 20 June 1890 vol 345 cc1479-80
MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N. W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to the alleged action of the Scottish Leader newspaper in forcibly removing, by the aid of the police, all the compositors who were members of the Trade Union (on the 26th May 1890); if they acted in their legal right in so doing; and if the terms of agreement, which the men were compelled to sign, have been brought to his notice; and, if so, do they constitute a violation of the Truck Act? In putting this question, I wish to make a brief explanation. I believe this is the first occasion in which such a question has been asked in this House. These men consider themselves to have been ill-treated, and they come to Parliament as a last resource in order to guide the public in the matter. The compositors in question were employed on the Scottish Leader newspaper in Edinburgh, and they were dismissed for joining a Trades Union—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member is exceeding the limits of a question.

MR. C. GRAHAM

Do I understand that I am at liberty to put my question?

MR. SPEAKER

The question on the Paper is perfectly in order.

MR. C. GRAHAM

Then I beg to put it.

MR. MATTHEWS

I am informed by the Scotch Office and by the Chief Inspector of Factories that they have no information as to the facts referred to. Inquiries will, however, be made by both Departments without delay.