§ MR. DRAGE (Derby)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any cases have been brought to his notice in which women and children have been dismissed by their employers in consequence of evidence given by them in support of prosecutions undertaken by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Factories; and, if so, whether he purposes taking any action in the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolYes, cases of this sort do from time to time come to my notice. As the law stands, however, I have no power to take any action in the matter; and in view of the great difficulties in regard to proof which are experienced in cases of a similar kind under the Witnesses Protection Act, 1892, it seems very doubtful whether the matter can be remedied by legislation. Much more good can, I think, be done by the voluntary action of such a committee as, I am glad to see, is in process of formation for the very purpose of rendering help in these cases.
§ MR. WOODALL (Hanley)May I ask the right honourable Gentleman if there have been many cases of the kind in the Potteries?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI cannot say whether there have been any in the Potteries.