§ MR. ARTHUR HENDERSON (Durham, Barnard Castle)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the system adopted, in contravention of the Truck Acts, in Church Army homes and other institutions in West London, of paying wages in kind, by way of supplying food, and also by deductions for sleeping accommodation; whether such places are supervised by factory inspectors; and, if so, what steps, if any, have been taken to bring these factories into conformity with the law.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI am aware of the system to which the hon. Member calls attention. As I stated in reply to a similar Question last year, I am advised that it is by no means clear that the Truck Acts would apply to the case of persons seeking aid from charitable institutions, and the extension of the Act to cover such cases would involve considerable difficulties. I understand the point has been brought to the notice of the Committee on the Truck Acts which is now sitting, and it will no doubt receive their consideration.