The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-22 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, Ap.il 21.
FACTORIES BILL.
_ _

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition cf yesterday.)
Sir DE LACY EVANS—The only argument that had
been used against this Bill was that it had a tendency to
restrict the labour of the poor, but those who took up that
position had totally failed in proving it. He considered
the arguments of the Noble Lord at the head of her Ma-
ety's taovernment quite satisfactory, and therefore he felt
bound to give the measure his support. He was very much
astonished to see the party who was so earnest in denouncing
the Protectionists for intolerance, on the subject of the corn-
laws, now evincing the same feelings on this question. He
thought it absurd to say that the glory and greatness of this
country were depeneent upon the diminution of the hours of
labour of the infants who were engaged in factories.
Lord J. RUSSELL did not expect that any discussion
would arise to-day on the Bill at this stage, but as it had
arisen no one had a right to complain of the course
adopted. With regard to the working of the eleven hours
they had same experience, and were able to form
a judgment of the propriety of adopting it; but with
regard to the ten hours they had no such proof, and there-
fore he had not such confidence in its operation. He very
much regretted that that clause should have become part
of the Bill, but considering the majority with which it was
affirmed, he considered he would not be justified in with-
holding his support from the Bill at this stage in con-
sequence of his opinion being overborne. He wished, how-
ever, to observe that he was not quite sure but the House
would have to be called upon in a future session to revise the
course which they now adopted.
Mr. ROEBUCK was surprised at the course the Noble
Lord adopted on this occasion, and was still more at the
speech which he had just made. The Noble Lord said be
would support the Bill, because the labouring classes did not
petition against it; but this was a very strange assertion
after the admission of the Noble Lord, that the ten hours'
clause would have the effect of diminishing the wages of
labour.
The House then divided when the numbers were—
For the amendment 46
Against it lOl
Majority

Mr. BROWN then Moved the following clause :—" And
be it enacted, that in all cases where, by reason of the
resaictions by this Act respectively imposed, as regards
the working of persons under the age of eighteen
years, and of females above the age of eighteen years,
the lessee or occupier, lessees or occupiers, of any
such mill or factory as is in this Act referred
to, or any part thereof, or any rooms therein, shall not be
entitled to or be by law able to enjoy the full aad beneficial
use of the steam or water power contracted to be supplied
by the lessor or landlord for the full length of time for which
the lessee or occupier, lessees or occupiers, would, but for this
Act, have been entitled to, a proportionate abatement of the
rent payable by such lessee or occupier, lessees or occu-
piers, shall be made and allowed by the lessor or landlord,
such proportionate abatement to be fixed and settled by any
two of her Majesty's Justices of the Peace; who shall have
full power to hear the parties and their respective witnesses,
and to summon them before them, the said justices, for that
purpose, and finally to adjudicate and determine in the pre-
mises if the parties differ about the same.
Mr. BROTHER I'ON was in favour of the clause.
Mr. ROEBUCK said that it followed from this the Bill did
not arise from a feeling of humanity, but from a desire to
put a thorn in the side of the manufacturers.
Mr. NEWDEGATE opposed the clause, and thought
there was no grounds whatever for the imputation of the
Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Roebuck) against the Protectionist
party.
Mr. AGLIONBY said there were two legal objections to
the clause, and he thought if it was acceded to, it would give
rise to endless difficulties.
Mr. FERRAND said that when the corn-law measure was
before the House no such clause was proposed, and he saw
no reason why it should be proposed now.
Sir GEORGE GREY thought the object of the clause
misunderstood. He hoped, however, the lion. Member would
withdraw the clause, as lie did not consider that it would
effect the object intended.
Mr. M. PHILIPS sai I the change bad been recom-
mended by the manufacturers themselves, and he thought
their wishes should be attended to. It was not for the
public advantage to have relays of workers, and the opera-
tion of the clause would be to prevent this.
Sir R. PEEL hoped that the clause would be withdrawn.
Though he had given his opposition to the Bill, he could not
consent to *this clause, as it would be introducing a
most unusual rule, and one that might operate most inju-
riously. This was not the first time that the hours of labour
had been interfered with, and it never had yet occurred to
the House to provide such an arrangement respecting the
moving power as suggi sted. He could not see how it was
possible to ascertain the amount of loss that this Bill
would occasion under any such contracts; and, therefore,
he could not consent to it. He believed that all such con-
tracts were entered into with a calculation of their being
operated on by causes, such as the Bill now undergoing
discussion. He was sure the clause would occasion much
heartburning and ill-feeling were it agreed to.
Mr. BROWN then withdrew his clause.

Viscount EBRINGTON said, as this Bill had already been
much discussed, he would not occupy the House with a
speech, but move the clauses of which he had given notice,
and on which he intended to take the sense of the House.
He concluded by moving the first clause :—" Be it enacted,
that none of the provisions of this Act, respecting the restric-
tion of their hours of labour, shall apply to adult women."
After a few words from Mr. FERRAND, this clause was
negatived without a division.
Viscount EBRINGTON then proposed the following
clauses :—" And be it further enacted, that no person
shall, after the passing of this Act, be appointed as
an inspector or superintendent of factories who is not
a duly licensed medical practitioner. And be it fur-
ther enacted, that the inspectors and superintendents so
appointed shall be empowered and required to report
from time to time on the state of health of the
persons employed in factories, or any defect in
the construction, or arrangement, or management of
the places of work which may effect the health
of persons employed there, and on the means of im-
provement or prevention. ' Whereas, by the Act 42
Gee. 111. c. 73, justices were directed to appoint two
persons to visit mills, and besides other duties to direct the
adoption of such sanatory regulations as on advice they may
think proper; and whereas the Act 3 and 4 William IV.,
c 103, states that the provisions of the said Act with relation
to these appointments were not duly carried into effect,
and therefore provides for the appointment of inspectors
and sub-inspectors ; and whereas the Act 7 and 8 Vic.,
c. 14, declares, that no inspector of factories shall
have power, in that capacity, to make rules, regu-
lations, and orders, as authorised by the said Act 3 and
4 Will. IV., c. 103, except as thereinafter mentioned; and
whereas in the subsequent clauses no such sanatory provi-
sions as were authorised by the Act 42 Geo. 111., c. 73, are
mentioned.' Be it therefore further enacted, that inspectors
and sub-inspectors shall have the same powers, witivrtspecr
to defective ventilation or drainage, which they shad; dean
likely to cause bodily ill health to any person ernytoyed in
such factory, as they now have with respect to unguatded ma-
chinery which they may deem likely to cause bodily injury."
The Noble Lord then proceeded to state the reasons why the
clauses were necessary. Their object was to ensure a healthy
atmospkere for the operatives in the factories, and to have
such inspectors appointed as would efficiently attend to these
points. At present such matters were very imperfectly at-
tended to.

The clauses not being seconded, were negatived.
Mr. LEADER then moved the following clatise :--"And be
it enacted, that if any accident happen to the steam-
engine, water-wheel, or mill-gearing in any factory,
whereby any part of the manufacturing machinery
shall be stopped during the usual hours of work allowed
by this Act, it shall be lawful to recover the time so
lost, in the following manner, that is to say :—Any child or
young person, or any woman, may be employed one hour in
each day more than the time to which the ordinary daily
labour of children and young persons and women respec-
tively is restricted by law, until such lost time be recovered."
Mr. BRIGHT seconded the clause.

Mr. lIINDLEY believed that such a clause would be
extremely injurious; it would lead to fraud, for when the
inspector came round the master would say that they
had had some great break down.

Mr. FERRAND supported the clause. If a slight accident
happened, if the mill stopped fur an hour, there was no op-
portunity to get up the loss. At the present time, if such an
accident happened the mill-owner stopped his mill for three
hours, because when be did so he was allowed by law
to make up the time at the rate of one hour a day. It
would be no advantage one way or the other.
Mr. HUME said that it had been represented to him that
there was great inconvenience suffered by the present
arrangement; he would therefore support the clause.
Mr. MUNTZ said that the men were kept lounging about
the mill for the three hours; now that was a very serious
consideration, for if they were so kept they might as well be
allowed to work.

Mr. FIELDEN said the working people were quite satisfied
with the law as it stood, without any introduction of a clause
of the kind proposed.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, objected to the clause, as it
would open a door to fraud.
Mr. LEADER said that it was his intention to divide the
House upon the question. He could not understand the oppo-
sition which the clause met; it would not introduce any-
thingnovel into the Bill; it would benefit the manufacturers,
but it would also benefit the workpeople in a greater degree.
It was really too bad, when any proposition emanated from
the manufacturers that it was received with suspicion. The
clause was a most just one, and had the benefit of the work-
ing classes in view, and not that of the manufacturer&
The House then divided, when there appeared—
For the clause
Against it
Majority —63
Mr. ESCOTT suggested that there should be a postpone-
ment of the decision of the House on the question.
Mr. BRIGHT conceived that time ought to be afforded the
Members who were unavoidably absent to express their
opinion on this question.
Mr. HUME thought the earliest day that couldbe named
was the best, but at all events a day should be fixed.
Mr. FERRAND—There was a rumour that Parliament
would be prorogued early in June. If that were the case,
and if there were any lengthened delay, there would be little
chance of the measure being carried this session.
Sir GEORGE GREY thought that Friday next would,
perhaps, meet the views of all parties to have the question
further considered. _ _

Mr. AGLIONI3Y thought that a day should be fixed. He
should be very unwilling to impede the Government, but he
thought there was nothing that could be decided on next
Friday that they were not competent then to determine upon.
Ile hoped that when the present question came on it would
not interfere with the measures of Government.

Sir A. LEITH HAY said that one thing appared to him
important, which was, that if the Bill be fixed for Friday it
should not come on on that day.—( Laughter.)
The third reading was then fixed for Friday, with the
understanding that a day should then be fixed when the
third reading should take place.
NAVAL PRISONS BILL.
_

On the motion that the louse do go into Committee on
,his Bill,

Mr. WILLIAMS objected to the Bill, as it placed the
sailor in a worse condition than he was before. The
sailor of this country was subjected to cruelty such as
no nation under the sun ever endured. To show this he
would only state a case which occurred the other day at
Portsmouth, when a marine was tried, under Sir William
Parker, for striking his sergeant, and the man was sentenced
to be hung at the yard-arm. A similar crime was com-
mitted by a soldier in the Guards a short time since,
and the sentence was twelve months' imprisonment. The
sentence of the marine was afterwards commuted to seven
years' transportation, but these and other cases of a similar
nature showed the inconsistency of the law in both services.
He thought that the powers given to the captains were too
extensive to be entrusted to the hands of young men, inex-
perienced in the world, and commanding men old enough to
be their fathers, and well versed in all their duties as sailors.
offence.
He called upon the House not to sanction any Act which
w
ouctuiedv:n a trial by ermit a sailor to be sent to prison for 28 days, with-
court-martial, for the slightest possible

_ -
Mr• WARD said that this Bill was kindly brought in by
the Admiralty, and with the sanction of eTery gentleman in