HC Deb 05 July 1897 vol 50 cc1094-5
*SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, there being now no chance of discussion during the present Session of the suggested further relaxation of the law relating to the application of the Factory Acts to the fish industry, nor of the strengthening of the law on that subject, it may be understood that the law as it stands will now be applied, and prosecutions in the case of the working of hours beyond those named in the Factory Acts be allowed to proceed?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpool

There would be great difficulties in the way of adopting the course which the right hon. Baronet suggests. The law is not absolutely free from doubt, anti the practice of the last 20 years has been to allow the exemption, the right to which the Bill now before the House is intended to make clear. Further, the enforcement of the stricter view of the Act which the right hon. Baronet takes would have the effect of injuring the smaller men employed in the trade to the benefit of the large employers who can afford to put their fish in ice. I do not see my way therefore at present to putting a more stringent construction on the Act than my predecessors have done.

SIR C. DILKE

Would the right hon. Gentleman take the opinion of the law officers?

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

I am not at all sure that the opinion of the law officers has not been already taken, but of course the highest opinion will be taken.