HC Deb 14 December 1908 vol 198 cc1213-4
MR. W. T. WILSON (Lancashire, Westhoughton)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the most part of the men employed by the Salvation Army at the Hanbury Street joinery works only receive in cash from 6d. to 3s. per week, the rest of their wages being paid in kind, i.e., food and lodgings; and whether, seeing that this is contrary to the provisions of the Truck Act, he will institute proceedings against the responsible manager.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) As I have stated in answer to previous Questions on this subject, it is not at all clear that the Truck Acts 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 that the matter has been considered by the Committee on the Truck Acts, whose Report is expected shortly.