§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will make inquiry regarding the gambling operations by banks and leading operators in Liverpool, in connection with the further proposed decrease in the hours of working by cotton operatives; whether he is aware that the master cotton-spinners of Lancashire have recommended the adoption of short time throughout the cotton industry of England; and whether he will cause to be circulated a report of
§ amended by the Pluralities Act Amendment Act, 1885, and the Benefices Act, 1898;—
§ the recent International Conference on the subject.
§ (Answered by Mr. A. J. Balfour.) I am afraid I can add nothing to the tenor of my previous Answer on this subject.† With regard to the second part of the Question, I have heard that such a proposal has been in contemplation; and with regard to the third, I am disposed to think that at present there are hardly sufficient grounds for adopting the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.