HC Deb 29 April 1898 vol 56 cc1528-9
MR. S. F. MENDL (Plymouth)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to various cases in which employers of labour have required, as a condition of employment, that their workmen shall contribute to a shop club, or benefit society, in connection with their works; and whether such condition is lawful, having regard to the provisions of the Truck Acts, or otherwise?

CAPTAIN R. G. W. CHALONER (Westbury, Wilts)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will endeavour to so amend the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1897, as to render it illegal for employers of labour to compel their employees to join a works club as a condition of hiring, or under such compulsion to cease their membership in any friendly society to which they may belong?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT

Yes, I have received representations on this subject, but I am advised that there is nothing in the Truck Act, or elsewhere, to make such a condition of employment illegal. Perhaps, I may add, in reply to the Question of my honourable Friend, the Member for the Westbury Division, that his proposal, even if practicable in itself, which I doubt, could not be carried out by an Amendment of the Workmen's Compensation Act, which does not deal with the law of clubs, or of friendly societies.

MR. W. J. GALLOWAY (Manchester, S.)

Has more than one case been brought under the notice of the right honourable Gentleman?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT

I have received a great number of resolutions from all parts of the country.