§ MR. CRAWFORDI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been drawn to the difference of opinion which has arisen in certain burghs in Scotland as to the right interpretation of "The Factory and Workshop Amendment (Scotland) Act, 1888," which provides that—
There shall be allowed as a holiday to every child, young person, and woman employed in a factory … such two whole days in each year … as shall be fixed by the Magistrates,in lieu of the sacramental fast days; and if he will be good enough to state whether the Magistrates are entitled to fix either or both of these days on a Saturday, or on a day which falls within the New Year holidays, or Summer Fair holidays, already granted by employers and enjoyed by the workpeople according to established custom?
§ A LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. MAXWELL,) WigtonIn the absence of my right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate, I have been requested to reply to the question. The attention of the Lord Advocate has been directed to this matter, and he desires me to inform the hon. Member that the Act in question is so framed that he cannot say he considers that such fixtures as are referred to in the latter paragraph of the question would be illegal.