§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will consider the possibility, in any amendment of the Factory Acts, of extending to the linen and jute industries legislation similar to that contained in part a of Sub-section 1 of Section 40 of the Act of 1895?
§ *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYAs the Act now stands, piece-workers in these industries are supplied individually with particulars as to their rates of wages. If paragraph a were extended as proposed, the rates of wages would also have to be exhibited on a placard posted in the workroom. But I have received no complaints whatever on the subject, and, in the opinion of the Examiner of Particulars, the extension is unnecessary. In these circumstances I am not prepared to propose a further amendment of an enactment which was carefully settled by Parliament less than a year ago.
§ *SIR C. DILKEIf the right hon. Gentleman receives a representation from the Scottish Mill and Factory Workers' Union, will he consider the question?
§ *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYI would be happy to receive such a representation; but, if it is to deal with the amendment of the Factory Acts, I am afraid I cannot enter into that.