§ 55. Mr. MAXTONasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to a decision of the Court of Session in Scotland by which 3,000 employés of Singer's Manufacturing Company, Clydebank, have been refused a sum of £50,000 due in wage increases and previously granted in the Sheriff Court; and if he will take steps to relieve the distress resulting from that decision?
§ Captain ELLIOT (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, Scotland)I have been asked to reply to this question. I 1034 have seen a newspaper report of the case referred to I am not aware that distress has arisen in consequence of the decision of the Court.
§ Mr. T. JOHNSTONSeeing that this decision is based upon a difficult technicality, about which there is a keen difference of legal opinion, will the hon. Gentleman consider the introduction of retrospective legislation?
§ Mr. MAXTONDoes the hon. Gentleman think that any working class home can lose a sum of £16 which has been earned in wages without distress arising?
§ Captain ELLIOTI take it this question is asked in connection with the technical definition of distress, that is, as regards people applying to the Poor Law authorities, and there is no evidence of applications having been made as a result of this decision. If it were not so, it would be obviously impossible for the local authority to take steps in connection with the matter.