HC Deb 08 March 1928 vol 214 cc1236-7
23. Mr. DENNISON

asked the Home Secretary whether inspectors of factories visit the fish quay at Grimsby for the purpose of examining the conditions and the terms of contracts of service under which persons are employed thereon; whether he is aware that stoppages for commodities, including drinking water, supplied by employers and charged for at their own prices, are made from earnings of fishermen and others; whether this system is sanctioned by the inspectors as complying with the provisions of the Truck Acts; and, if not, whether he will have inquiry made with a view to instituting proceedings?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Vivian Henderson)

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The factory inspectors are responsible for the enforcement of the Truck Acts in the case only of persons employed in factories and workshops; they have no jurisdiction in this respect in the case of fishermen and others employed elsewhere. So far as the factories and workshops at the Grimsby Docks are concerned, the Chief Inspector reports that he has no evidence of any irregularities.

Mr. DENNISON

Does the hon. Member state that the Home Office have no jurisdiction whatever over this quay?

Sir V. HENDERSON

It is not under the Home Office.

Mr. WOMERSLEY

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the conditions of work in connection with the fishing industry at Grimsby are under an arbitration award made 25 years ago, since which there has been no dispute whatever between employers and employed, and that the people of Grimsby would resent the interference of any outsider who knows nothing whatever about the fishing industry?

Miss LAWRENCE

Is it not the fact that in previous cases a fish quay has been held to be a place of work within the meaning of the Act, and, if so, will the hon. Gentleman look up the precedents?

Sir V. HENDERSON

I shall be glad to receive any information on the subject from the hon. Member.