§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any steps have been, taken by the Home Office towards the enforcement of the Truck Act 1896, so far as it relates to shop assistants?
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolNo, Sir; the Act does not require the Secretary of State to enforce its provisions in shops or provide any means for his so doing.
§ *SIR C. DILKEAm I to understand the Home Secretary to say that he is not taking any steps similar to those he is taking in regard to the railways?
§ *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYSo far as any steps with regard to the railways are concerned, I am in correspondence with them with reference to the provisions of the Act.
§ *SIR C. DILKEare these steps taken by the Home Secretary as to the railways only so far as they come within the Factory Acts? I understood he was taking steps as to the railways generally.
§ *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYI am in communication with the railway companies, but I have no special power under the Act over them or over shops.
§ *SIR C. DILKEMy Question really was whether the Home Secretary had taken any such friendly steps with regard to the shops as he has taken in the case of the railways.
§ *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYIf I could see my way, I would be only too pleased to do so.