342 REPORT— 1903. 



adaptability of the more recent Acts tends to reduce these to unim- 

 portance. 



21. The benefits which the Acts have conferred are in the long run 

 great and out of all proportion to any inconveniences or injury they have 

 caused. 



Note to Report. By Miss Heather-Bigg, 



With the greater number of the foregoing conclusions I am in com- 

 plete agreement, but I cannot, in face of the facts set forth in this Report 

 and accessible elsewhere, admit that the benefit which the Acts have 

 conferred is out of all pi-oportion to any inconveniences or injury they 

 have caused. (Conclusion 21.) The statement would be true enough if 

 made of factory legislation generally, but, limited as it is by the terms of 

 reference to those regulations only which determine the hours and condi- 

 tions of women's work, it underestimates the drawbacks and exaggerates 

 the advantage of such regulations. 



With regard to Conclusion 20, I would point out that there is no lack 

 of evidence to show that inconvenience and hardship have been caused 

 by the Acts. The fact that many modifications in the direction of 

 elasticity have been conceded of late years proves that the hardships 

 have been recognised as substantial and of a kind likely to recur. 



With regard to Conclusion 19, I would say that I cannot share the 

 cheerful optimism which hopes that some of the falling off in the employ- 

 ment of women over 45 may be due to diminished need on their part to 

 work outside their homes. 



APPENDIX I. 



In the Appendix are given summaries and notes from the reports 

 received by the Committee. Those points have been selected which bear 

 most directly on the questions dealt with, and care has been taken ta 

 include all adverse criticisms of the Factory Acts. The general opinion 

 of the employers and workpeople questioned is given as it appeared to 

 the investigators. Some of the reports included in the list given above do- 

 not appear separately, because their gist is included in the tabulation of 

 Sections I. to VII. 



Nottingham, 



^Extracts from Bejyort Jnj Principal Symes, Dr. Boobbyee, Mrs. DowsON, 



and Miss Ashvvell.) 



Summary. 



' All employers and employees are agreed as to the beneficial effects of 

 the sanitary clauses of the Acts, and as to the period of non-employment- 

 after childbirth. 



' Trade customs seem to have been affected in Nottingham to a very 

 small extent by the time restrictions on women's labour. In some cases 

 the hours appear to have been shortened, but as a general rule they fall 

 below the limit enforced by Government. The customary working day 

 in the majority of cases is shorter by an hour than that of the Acts. 



' The wages of women have apparently been little affected by the 

 Acts. In most cases they have advanced (the exceptions being in the 



