§ MR. MUNDELLA,in moving for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Factory Acts, stated that its objects were to reduce the hours of labour for children, young persons, and women; to raise the age of children employed at half-time from eight years to 10; to continue the half-time system from 13 to 14 years of age; and lastly, to abolish the exemption in favour of silk factories, by which children of 12 years of age were now permitted to work 60 hours a week. Anticipating the Report of a Royal Commission on this subject soon after Easter, he should defer the second reading till the first Wednesday after Whitsuntide; and, to prevent misapprehension, he wished to state that he had never contemplated interference with male adults employed in factories.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill to amend the Factory Acts, ordered to be brought in by Mr. MUNDELLA, Mr. MORLEY, Mr. SHAW, Mr. PHILIPS, Mr. COBBETT, and Mr. ANDERSON.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 47.]