Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the immediate result of enforcing the provisions of the Truck Act in Shetland has been to cause considerable distress among the knitters; and if he can see his way to appoint a trusted official of the Scotch Office to visit the islands and report what action, if any, it might be desirable to take?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEAs my hon. Friend is aware, the administration of the Truck Act in Shetland was recently under the consideration of the Truck Committee which reported in December last, and it was on their representation that steps were taken by the authorities to secure a stricter enforcement of the law. Although some inconvenience may have resulted, I would remind my hon. Friend that the provisions in question were passed for the protection of the workers in the industries affected. It is to be expected that any such inconvenience will prove only temporary, and in the circumstances an inquiry of the nature suggested by my hon. Friend would seem unnecessary.