§ Mr. Fox Maule, in moving for leave to bring in a bill to regulate the employment of children and young persons in factories, said, he thought it would be better at that late hour (past twelve) to defer an explanation of its provisions till the second reading.
§ Mr. Hindleywished for some brief explanation, if only five minutes—of the objects of the bill. Did the Government mean to alter the hours of the factory children's labour? Did they intend to strengthen the hands of the inspectors and sub-inspectors?
§ Mr. Fox Maulesaid, the Government were not prepared to alter the provisions of the existing Act as to the hours of labour or the ages of the children. But they did intend to give additional powers to the inspectors and sub-inspectors, believing that such additional powers were necessary to carry the Act into execution. Into a detail of the means by which this object was to be effected, it would be best, perhaps, to enter on the second reading.
§ Leave given.