§ MR. CALDWELL (Lanark, Mid)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that in the West of Scotland one-fifteenth of the men's wages is deducted off all ironworkers for the 1343 wear and tear of machinery; and whether such deductions are legal or are in contravention of the Truck Act?
§ *THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR,&c.) Clackmannan,There is in many malleable iron manufactories a deduction of one-fifteenth from wages, not on account of tear and wear of machinery, but in accordance with a usage which prevailed before the passing of the Truck Act. It existed where what was called the long-weight system, which allowed an excess of 41bs. to the half hundredweight, or 1601bs. to the ton, was in operation, and represents the difference between the old, or long weight, and the Imperial, or short weight, introduced by the Weights and Measures Act. By desire of the men the system still obtains, but it makes no difference in the wages earned, as under the short weight system the wages are proportionately less. It seems to be rather a mode of ascertaining wages than a deduction from wages, and it does not appear to constitute a contravention of the Truck Act.