HL Deb 05 June 1845 vol 81 cc125-6
The Duke of Buccleuck

moved the Third Reading of he Calico Printworks Bill.

Lord Brougham

moved that the word "female" in the 22d Clause be struck out.

Amendment negatived.

Lord Campbell

said that, whatever the necessity might be for married females not being allowed to work by night in printworks, there was no such necessity for preventing unmarried women from working. He would, therefore, move the insertion of the word "married" before "female."

The Duke of Buccleuch

could not understand why unmarried females should be allowed to work, and married not. This was no new restraint; the Bill of last year had been found to work well, and both masters and workmen cordially approved of it. Night-work was most pernicious, and the greatest bane to morals.

Lord Campbell

said, there was a distinction between married and unmarried women; the former were often pregnant, and had children to attend to and clothes to mend.

The Marquess of Normanby

agreed that there was this distinction; but it was the desire of all classes, manufacturers and workmen, that night-work should cease.

Amendment negatived. Bill read 3a and passed.

Lord Wharncliffe

moved that the House do adjourn till Monday next.

Lord Brougham

objected to adjourn without cause shown; after having lost the whole day, owing to Mr. Barry, and those who protected Mr. Barry out of the House, he objected to lose another morning of judicial business without cause shown. He could not conceive any reason for adjourning over to Monday, except that there was an entertainment to be given in some quarter of the town. He agreed that it was right to adjourn on the Queen's birthday; but to move an adjournment because the Queen gave a ball was the most extravagant proposition ever made in an assembly of their Lordships' importance.

Lord Wharncliffe

said, there could be no objection to the House sitting to-morrow if there was any cause to be heard; but he did not see anything in the Paper for to-morrow.

Lord Brougham

said, there was a cause under argument in which Scotch counsel were to be heard, who were detained in London. There was likewise the Small Debts Bill to be read a third time. If noble Lords came down in costume the sight would be very gratifying; and he should be exceedingly glad to see the noble President of the Council in the costume of Lord Burleigh.

House adjourned till to-morrow.