Truck - The payment of wages otherwise than in money, the
system or practice of such a payment. References/Edinburgh
enquiry/book/archives/size of original doc. OED.
The Truck Commission Enquiry, 1872, is a major social history
source the Shetland Islands in the 19th century. It followed on
from an existing Truck Commission enquiry in 1871, after evidence
from Shetland was heard in Edinburgh. 45,125 questions covered
the rest of the country, 17,070 for Shetland. Despite this effort, little
effect immediately resulted in Shetland from legislation following
on the national enquiry.
References
George W. Hilton, The Truck System, including a History of the
British Truck Acts, 1465-1960,
W. Heffer and Sons, Ltd., Cambridge, 1960.
Hance D. Smith, Introduction (to facsimile reprint of the Report
of the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the Truck System
(Shetland), Sandwick, 1978.
Hance D. Smith, Shetland Life and Trade, 1550-1914, John Donald
Publishers Ltd., Edinburgh, 1984, ISBN 0859761037.
For further queries, contact Shetland.archives@sic.shetland.gov.uk.