HC Deb 28 July 1896 vol 43 c829
MR. WILLIAM ALLEN (Newcastle-under-Lyme)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State fur the Home Department, whether he intends to make an order extending Section 53 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1878, to the women employed in bottling beer; and, if so, why it is now found necessary to allow overtime in a trade which has been carried on without overtime for 18 years?

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

Yes, Sir, I propose to make such an order; but it is not the case that this trade has been carried on hitherto without overtime. On the contrary, until quite recently the Factory Acts were not enforced at all in beer-bottling warehouses. Now that it is found that the Factory Acts are applicable, I propose to make an order which will allow overtime—but only on 30 days in the year, and under the other statutory restrictions.