§ LORD BELPER, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, said it was a Measure giving the Secretary of State power to make regulations with regard to work in cotton cloth factories. There was a Bill in 1889 on this matter, and last year, owing to some complaints about the conditions of working, the Home Secretary appointed a small Committee, with Sir Henry Roscoe as Chairman. The 884 Committee decided on the regulations, especially with regard to steaming and the introduction of artificial moisture into cotton-weaving sheds, anti he understood they were approved of both by the employers and the employed. This Bill enabled the Secretary of State to make regulations in conformity with the Committee's recommendations.
§ Read 2a (according to Order), and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.