HC Deb 16 July 1914 vol 64 cc2106-7
76. Sir WILLIAM BYLES

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken by the Home Office to deal with the violations of the Truck Act recorded in the factory inspector's report recently circulated; whether he is aware that home workers in Ulster who make shirts, under- clothing, and knitted goods for large firms are paid at the rate of 1d. per hour and subjected to pressure to take payment in shop commodities as a condition of receiving work, and that fines are still deducted from a very low wage in many trades; and whether the Bills now before the House dealing with these abuses will receive facilities from the Government?

Mr. McKENNA

As the chief inspector's report shows, the inspectors take all possible steps, by warnings and where necessary, by prosecutions, to enforce observance of the Acts. As regards the position of the home workers in the Irish linen trade, the Courts have held that the Acts do not apply to the case of these outworkers, and this and other defects of the law dealt with in the Report of the Truck Committee can only be remedied by legislation. I hope very shortly to introduce a Bill for this purpose.

Sir W. BYLES

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

Mr. McKENNA

I assume my hon. Friend refers to Bills introduced by private Members?

Sir W. BYLES

Yes.

Mr. McKENNA

I have answered it in my reply: "I hope very shortly to introduce a Bill for this purpose."

Mr. JAMES HOPE

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to see that the power of dealing with these abuses in Ulster is retained by his own Department, and this House?

Mr. McKENNA

That does not arise.