§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)On behalf of the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil I beg to ask the hon. Member for the Tunbridge Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether he is aware that the blind ship-fender makers of the Sunderland and Durham County Institution for the Blind have been locked out since October last for refusing to accept a reduction of 27 per cent. in their wages, which only averaged 12s. per week last year; whether the governors are threatening to permanently close this department; and, seeing that a representation on behalf of the men has been made to the Charity Commissioners, will he state what action they propose taking in the matter.
§ MR. GRIFFITH BOSCAWEN (Kent, Tunbridge)The Commissioners have been informed that no part of the income of the Institution is derived from endowments. In these circumstances they would have no jurisdiction in the matter, and a reply to that effect to the representation which has been made to them has been forwarded accordingly.