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"over the whole country largely vitiates the totals. In order that due allowance
"may be made for this in the compilation of statistics the Council is asked to keep
"a separate account of occupiers furnishing one list only, and of the outworkers
"employed by them, and to enter them separately in the third and fourth columns
"provided for the purpose in the Table.
"I am, Sir,
"Your obedient Servant,
"HENRY CUNYNGHAME.
"The Medical Officer of Health
"for the City of London."
NOTE AS TO THE TRUCK ACTS.
The Truck Acts require that wages shall be paid in money only. Payment in goods therefore or
otherwise than in coin is illegal.
Any express or implied agreement as to the manner or place in which wages are to be spent (for
the worker's private use) is illegal.
All fines, or deductions or charges in respect of (a) bad work or (6) damaged goods or
(c) materials or articles to be used in relation to the work, are illegal unless made in pursuance
of a contract between the employer and the worker. The contract must be in writing and
signed by each worker, and a copy must be given to each worker when the contract is made.
In the case of fines, the contract must specify clearly the matter in respect of which a fine may be
imposed, and the amount of the fine.
In the case of materials or articles used in relation to the work, the charge must in no case exceed
the cost thereof to the employer.
No fine or deduction or charge (nor any contract respecting the same) is legal unless it is fair and
reasonable.
Written particulars must he given to the worker on each occasion when a fine or deduction or
charge is made.
A copy of the contract must be given to any worker on demand.
A breach of the Truck Acts not merely entitles the worker to recover the fine or deduction or the
wages paid in goods, but is also punishable by penalty on summary conviction.
NOTE AS TO THE "PARTICULARS"SECTION AFFECTING
OUTWORKERS.
The Particulars Section (s. 116) of the Factory Act has been extended by five Orders to outworkers
employed in the making of (1) locks, latches and keys: (2) iron and steel cables,
chains, anchors and grapnels, and cart gear; (3) wholesale tailoring; (4) the making of felt
hats; and (5) the making, altering, ornamenting, finishing and repairing of wearing apparel,
other than boots and shoes, and any work incidental thereto.
The effect of these Orders is to require the employer for the purpose of enabling each worker who
is paid by the piece to compute the total amount of wages payable to him, to furnish him
with a written or printed statement of the rate of wages applicable to the work to be done
and such particulars of the work to be done at affect the amount of wages. The particulars
must not be expressed by symbols.