The Chimney Sweepers Regulation Act 1864This

short title In certain jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom and other Westminster-influenced jurisdictions (such as Canada or Australia), as well as the United States and the Philippines, primary legislation has both a short title and a long title. T ...

was conferred on this Act by section 1 of this Act. (27 & 28 Vict c 37) was a British

Act of Parliament Acts of Parliament, sometimes referred to as primary legislation, are texts of law passed by the Legislature, legislative body of a jurisdiction (often a parliament or council). In most countries with a parliamentary system of government, acts of ...

that amended the

Chimney Sweepers and Chimneys Regulation Act 1840 The Chimney Sweepers and Chimneys Regulation Act 1840The citation of this Act by this short title was authorised by the Short Titles Act 1896, section 1 and the first schedule. Due to the repeal of those provisions it is now authorised by secti ...

passed to try to stop child labour. Commissioners appointed in 1862 reported that several thousand children aged between five and fourteen years, including many girls, were working for sweeps. The bill was proposed by

Lord Shaftesbury Earl of Shaftesbury is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1672 for Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Baron Ashley, a prominent politician in the Cabal then dominating the policies of King Charles II. He had already succeeded his f ...

. The 1840 Act prohibited any person under 21 being compelled or knowingly allowed to ascend or descend a chimney or flue for sweeping, cleaning or coring. This was widely ignored by the Master Sweeps and the homeowners. This Act proposed stiff fines and imprisonment for non-compliant master sweeps. It gave the police power to arrest sweeps thought to be breaking the law, and gave Board of Health inspectors the authority to examine new or remodelled chimneys.

References

;Notes ;Bibliography * United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1864 United Kingdom labour law Child labour law 1864 in labor relations {{UK-hist-stub