HC Deb 19 June 1934 vol 291 cc174-5
3. Mr. N. MACLEAN

(for Mr. DAVID WILLIAMS) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the town council of Burntisland has arrested for arrears of rates the wages of five workers on the first payment of wages they received after a long spell of unemployment, and that one man had £3 15s. 6d. deducted from his wage of £5 1s. 6d., another £3 14s. 6d. from £4 18s. 6d., a third £2 10s. from £3 10s., and the other two had the whole of their wages of £2 3s. 4d. and £2 0s. 4d. arrested, and, further, that this council intends in future to arrest 20 per cent. of wages of £2 10s. and 30 per cent. of wages over £2 10s.; and what action he will take to prevent any further treatment of this nature?

Mr. SKELTON

I am informed that the facts are substantially as stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part my right hon. Friend has no powers which would enable him to interfere with the exercise by the local authority or any other creditor of their rights to enforce by process of law payment of debts due to them.

Mr. MACLEAN

Is it not the case that whore powers of arrestment have been granted to anyone in Scotland by a court in Scotland there must be a certain amount left, in order to provide the individual whose wages are being arrested with sufficient to purchase food and clothing during the particular week?

Mr. SKELTON

I could not answer that legal question without notice, but I think I might say now that even so I do not think that would give the Secretary of State any powers.

Mr. MACLEAN

Is it not the case that the entire wages of the two individuals in this instance were arrested, leaving absolutely nothing for them to purchase-food for their families?

Mr. SKELTON

I can only repeat that I could not answer that legal question without notice.

Mr. THORNE

Are there any courts m Scotland similar to those in England, namely, county courts, where people have to go in matters of this kind?

Mr. SKELTON

Again, I say that I cannot answer any legal question without notice.

Mr. MACLEAN rose

—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman has already answered that he cannot reply to the question without notice.