Module 2582: Document Studies Factory Reform

Need for Reform Parliamentary enquiry of 1832 revealed terrible state of affairs Men, women and children working long hours in poor conditions Children were particularly badly treated

Pressures for Reform Evangelists Politics Medical groups Men like Lord Ashley Land owners feared loss of power to industrialists Men like Dr James Kay

Legislation before Robert Peel (senior) introduced Act for Preservation of Health and Morals of Apprentices Limited working day for children to 12 hours Children to receive religious instruction & other education JPs given power to appoint inspectors

Legislation before Act was largely ignored – no means of enforcement 1815 Royal Commission reported on factory conditions Peel senior introduced 1819 Act Act aimed at restricting hours worked by young Again no inspectorate

Factory Act, 1831 Introduced by Sir John Hobhouse Extended work restrictions to 17 & 18 year olds Difficult to enforce Failure spurred work of Michael Sadler Headed select committee in 1832 Foundation of 10 Hour movement

Factory Act, 1833 Sadler lost his seat after 1832 Replaced by Lord Ashley Whigs established Royal Commission – supporters of reform feared it would be biased Hostile reception for Commissioners but reported favourably Chadwick argued 14 year olds capable of working long days

Terms of the Act Largely based on the findings of the Royal Commission Children 9-14 restricted to 8 hour day + 2 hours compulsory education restricted to 12 hour day 4 Inspectors appointed Act failed to introduce maximum 10 hour day for children despite strong level of support

Why had developments been opposed? Main opponents were mill owners concerned about impact of any restrictions on output Argued that reduction in working day would hit wages of most needy Whig newspapers like the Leeds Mercury & Manchester Guardian opposed reform Many Whigs were firm believers in laissez- faire

Factory legislation Peel succeeded to office against background of economic slump & social disorder 1843 Graham proposed factory bill Reduction for u-13s to 6½ hours per day Also proposed 3 hours a day compulsory education – this opposed by Dissenters Following spring Ashley proposed 10 Hour amendment- defeated

1844 Act Laid down provisions for safety at work Injured workers to receive compensation Important as it marks beginning of govt interference between bosses & workers Act widened the scope of govt intervention to adult male workers 10 Hour working day NOT implemented

Peel & Factory Reform Main reason for defeat of the 10 Hour amendment was opposition from Peel Peel unwilling to alienate support from industrialists Corn Law debate sidelined issue of fixed working day Ashley replaced by John Fielden as leader

1847 Factory Act On return to power Whigs passed the 10 hour Bill After May 1 st 1848 working week for women & children under 18 limited to 58 hours Many bosses ignored legislation or introduced shift system to get round it 1850 Grey introduced bill banning relay system and restricting work to 60 hours a week 1853 Factory Act – fixed hours for children

Why was development so slow? Laissez-faire was major factor Manufacturers resentful of government interference Practical problems of proving ages Parents worked with bosses to break law Not enough inspectors