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 1833

1802 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 1833

1802 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

15-18 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 1841-53

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 1st 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