HC Deb 25 August 1909 vol 9 cc2091-2
Mr. BOTTOMLEY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will favourably consider the introduction into the Shops Bill of a provision dealing with the quality of food supplied to shop assistants and with the system of fines which prevails in most large establishments?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Gladstone)

I regret that it would not be possible to deal with questions of fines and of the quality of food in the Shops Bill. These questions are of much importance, but they come within the scope of the law of truck and the law of public health rather than of this Bill. I shall be glad to deal with them by legislation as soon as time permits so far as they fall within my province.

Mr. J. R. SEDDON

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication as to when we may expect fruits from the long deliberations of the Truck Committee, which sat for two and a half years?

Mr. GLADSTONE

I am engaged at present in dealing with the shops question in my Department, and I shall be glad to deal with the truck question when I can.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

Do I understand that the question of food comes under the truck law?

Mr. GLADSTONE

It comes within the province of the inquiry conducted by the Truck Committee.