§ 79. Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that workmen who have contracted loans with boards of guardians, as a form of relief, are having deductions made from their wages; and will he consider legislation with a view to bringing this practice to an end?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSection 69 of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834, expressly authorises this method of recovery of relief advanced on loan, and, though I 2504 am not aware that extensive use is now made of the powers given by the Section, I am not at present aware that there are good grounds for the introduction of amending legislation.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it permissible that a deduction should be made from a man's wages at the source in respect of whatever sums he may previously have received as loans during a period of unemployment and distress?
§ Mr. CONNOLLYIs not this practice a violation of the Truck Acts?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; it is in accordance with Section 69 of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834.
§ Mr. CONNOLLYAre not the Truck Acts later than that?
§ Mr. SMITHIn view of the considerable number of complaints with regard to this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries of the boards of guardians and see to what extent this practice is being carried on at the present time?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not sure whether the hon. Member would desire that, in lieu of this practice, these people should be taken into the County Court. That is the alternative.