The British parliament passed at least 14 Factories Acts (some aimed specifically at cotton mills) between 1802 and 1961. The intention of all of the early ones was to limit the hours worked by women and children. The 1802 act outlawed the use of children under 9, and limited the hours that older children could work (maximum 8 hours a day for those aged 9 to 13, 12 hours aged 14 to 18).
© Haydn Thompson 2017