§ MR. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the frequent deductions from the wages of employees in Belfast factories and workshops in violation of the provisions of the Truck Acts; and whether he will direct the local inspector of factories to see that the provisions of the Acts are more rigidly enforced.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) Complaints have been received with regard to the bonus system adopted in certain factories in this district, and a case was taken last year to test the legality of the system. In that case, Deane v. Wilson and Co., the High Court held that no violation of the Truck Acts had been committed. Apart from this question, which is now under the consideration of the Departmental Committee on the Truck Acts, I am not aware that there is any prevalence of 658 truck abuses in this district; but if the hon. Member will furnish me with the particulars of any cases that have been brought to his notice they shall be inquired into.