HC Deb 13 November 1911 vol 31 cc164-5W
Mr. DEVLIN

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to the practice of a number of employers of labour in Belfast engaged in the spinning, weaving, and kindred industries, who, in contravention of the spirit and provisions of the Truck Acts, impose upon their workers fines and penalties and deductions from their wages for breaches of rules made by the employers; whether these rules are submitted to the Department before being imposed on the workers; and whether any, and, if so, what, action can be taken by the Department to prevent the victimisation of these workers?

Mr. McKENNA

I have seen the notices as to the terms and conditions of employment which have been issued in the spinning and weaving industries in Belfast. In so far as the notices contain contracts for deductions from wages they are subject to the requirements of the Trucks Acts, and the matter has been engaging the attention of the Department. They do not, however, require to be submitted to the Department for approval before coming into force, and there is only power to take action where a deduction is made which is unreasonable or otherwise not in accordance with the contract, or where the contract provides for a deduction which is unreasonable having regard to all the circumstances. The Department has attempted by negotiations with the manufacturers to secure the modification of some of the provisions which it was thought might operate harshly, but I am sorry to say without success. So far as regards what appears to be the most important point, the question of deductions for bad work, the form of contract provides, in accordance with the terms of the Act, that the deductions shall be fair and reasonable, and shall not in any case exceed the loss to the employer; and it is only in particular cases, therefore, where deductions are made which are not in conformity with these provisions that action can be taken. A close watch will be kept by the Department on the working of these contracts, and proceedings will be instituted in any cases that call for action; and any cases that are brought to the notice of the factory inspectors will be carefully investigated. I may add that the whole question of the conditions of work, earnings and methods of payment in these industries is being investigated by a Departmental Committee.