MR. MACVKAGH (Down, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that in mills and factories in small towns in the north of Ireland the workers are paid fortnightly instead of weekly; and whether, in view of the inconvenience thus caused to workers, and of the encouragement given to gombeenism and usury, he proposes to remedy the grievance by introducing a suitable provision into some of the labour Bills now before Parliament.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have been asked to Answer this question by the President of the Board of Trade. I have received no representations on the subject, and I am not prepared to suggest legislation.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)suggested that the right hon. Gentleman should make further inquiry.