MR. J. KEIR-HARDIEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the sentence passed on an Ashton draper who was found guilty of obstructing Miss Anderson, an inspector under the Factory and Workshops Act, in the performance of her duties, and ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution; and whether he proposes taking any action in the matter?
§ MR. ASQUITHMy attention has been called to this case. The magistrates convicted the offender, and I have no power to increase the penalty which in the exercise of their discretion they thought fit to impose. I shall take care that this workshop is kept under observation, and that the law is strictly enforced there, so far as the Inspectors of Factories can enforce it.