§ COLONEL WILSON PATTEN moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the further amendment of the law relating to labour in factories. The object of the Bill was to make a change in the law with regard to the fencing of mill gearing and shafting. At present, if any dispute arose between the mill owner and the inspector as to fencing of the machinery they were empowered to leave the question to the decision of an arbitrator. There was no such power with regard to the fencing of mill gearing and shafting, and his object was to subject that to the same provision as the rest of the machinery.
LORD STANLEYsaid, the Bill did not propose to take away from the operatives any protection they now enjoyed, but merely to do away with some restrictions that went beyond the object of the law.
§ SIR GEORGE GREYwould not express any opinion on the details of the Bill. At a later stage they would be able to see how far they might relax the restrictions formerly imposed.
§ MR. COBBETTwould not oppose the introduction. If hon. Members referred to the late Reports of the Factory Inspectors, they would see how the whole matter stood.
§ MR. KIRKcontended that the precautions at present used in the mills were quite sufficient to protect the hands from danger.
COLONEL DUNNEthought that the Legislature should see that the very best security was obtained for the hands employed in factories.
§ Leave given.
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by Colonel WILSON PATTEN and Lord STANLEY.
§ Bill read 2°.
§ The House adjourned at a quarter after Twelve o'clock till Monday next.