HC Deb 30 July 1867 vol 189 cc484-6

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clauses 1, 2, and 3 agreed to.

Clause 4 (General Definitions).

MR. POWELL

proposed in line 20, after the word "making," to insert "for sale." The hon. Member explained that the object of the Amendment was to shut out the possibility of interference with domestic life on the part of inspectors under this Bill.

MR. GATHORNE HARDY

said, he did not think the insertion of the proposed words was necessary, as, in his opinion, the present wording of the clause was sufficient to secure the object of the hon. and learned Gentleman.

MR. HENLEY

supported the Amendment. He wished to know from the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary whether a woman taking work to her own home, might, under the Bill, be restrained from working more than twelve hours?

MR. AYRTON

asked, if it were intended that every person working in his own house without a master was to be inspected?

MR. BRUCE

remarked, that the greatest cases of hardship arose from the exertion of parental authority upon children and women where few persons were employed, and it was difficult to guard against such cases.

MR. HENLEY

submitted that they should know the class of persons that would be affected by the Act before they passed it. His question had no reference to the employment of children by their parents or anyone else. To the question he had asked he had not received an answer.

MR. GATHORNE HARDY

had no doubt that workshops to which persons took home work from masters for the purpose of gain would come under the meaning of the Act, and inconvenience might arise from the circumstance. He saw the difficulty to which his right hon. Friend referred, but he did not perceive at that moment the way to guard against it.

Amendment withdrawn.

Clause agreed to.

Clause 5 agreed to.

Clause 6 (Regulations as to Time of Labour).

MR. POTTER

referred to the importance of providing effectively for the education of the children, and moved an Amendment with that object.

MR. HENLEY

called attention to the case of children taught needlework at schools, and asked how they would be affected by the Act?

MR. BRUCE

In such a case the child would not work for gain, but for improvement.

LORD JOHN MANNERS

If my right hon. Friend will look to the definition he will see that the words used are "master or parent," and schoolmaster is not included in that definition.

MR. HENLEY

The words are "for wages or not." The schoolmaster may get a profit out of the children's work.

LORD JOHN MANNERS

thought the proposal of the hon. Member for Carlisle might be very fairly accepted by the Committee.

House resumed.

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.

Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members not being present,

House adjourned at ten minutes after Nine o'clock.