§ MR. CALDWELL (Glasgow, St. Rollox)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the case of the proprietors of Campbellfield Pottery, Glasgow, who some 11 weeks ago intimated a reduction of wages, and, the same not being acquiesced in by the workmen, gave notice to quit not only to these workmen, but to such members of their family as were employed in the pottery; whether he is aware that the day the workmen received their notice to quit the foreman of the pottery stated that, if the workmen did not agree to the masters' terms, they would not get work in any other pottery in Glasgow; whether the places of these workmen have been filled up by the employment of other workmen; whether the workmen so dismissed applied at other potteries requiring workmen, but were informed that no employment would be given to any workman who had been dismissed from Campbellfield Pottery; whether it is lawful for masters to conspire or to combine together not to employ certain workmen who have been dismissed from employment, and whose places have been filled up by the employment of other workmen, and with whom no trade dispute can be said to exist; and whether he will take steps to enforce the Criminal Law on the subject?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND (Sir C. PEARSON, Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)No, Sir; the Lord Advocate's attention has not been called to this case. If any one conceives that a criminal offence has been committed and desires the Lord Advocate's consideration of it, his proper course is to lodge information with the authorities in the usual way.