HC Deb 31 July 1896 vol 43 cc1261-2
MR. B. PICKARD, (York, W. R., Normanton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a checkweigh case held before his Honour Judge Green how, at the Wakefield Courthouse, 21st July 1896, re George Ford, check weighman, of Sharlestone Colliery, who sued James Skitt and John Robinson for 2s. 8d. each for arrears of wages, and, whether his Honour's rulings and verdict in this case are in accordance with the clauses of the Coal Mines Regulation Acts, dealing with check weigh men's wages, when he decided that the check weigh man was not entitled to collect money from the men to cover the costs of weigh sheets, whereon to record the men's weight, costs incidental to collecting the money from the workmen in the pit yard, or any other costs incidental to the weighing of the coal on behalf of the workmen.

* SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

My attention had not previously been called to this case. I have no power to review the decision of a Judge on a point of law, and in the present case, of which the hon. Member has been good enough to send me a report, I can see no reason to doubt that the Judge's decision was in accordance with the Act, and that, while a check weigh man's wages are recoverable under the Act, the other items mentioned are recoverable only under an agreement.