"I am an orphan. When I was ten I was sent to service as maid of all-work, in a small tradesman’s family. It was a hard place, and my mistress used me very cruelly, beating me often. I was black and blue, and at last I ran away. (...) I broke some windows in St. Paul’s-churchyard to get into prison (...) when I came out, and was forced to go into the streets for a living. I continued walking the streets for three years, I was never happy all the time, but I could get no character and could not get out of the life. (...) I lodged at a lodging-house in Kent-street. They were all thieves and bad girls. I have known between three and four dozen boys and girls sleep in one room. The beds were horrid filthy and full of vermin. (...) Many a girl—nearly all of them—goes out into the streets from this penny and twopenny house, to get money for their favourite boys by prostitution. If the girl cannot get money she must steal something, or will be beaten by her ‘chap’ when she comes home. I have seen them beaten, often kicked and beaten until they were blind from bloodshot, and their teeth knocked out with kicks from boots (...) I was an only child, and haven’t a friend in the world. I have heard several girls say how they would like to get out of the life, and out of the place.

You are a Member of Parliament for KENSINGTON constituency. You are very familiar with the problems of the poor.

You try to improve the Factory Act by imposing a ten hour limit to the work of children and women.

Using the documents, prepare a speech at the house of commons where you will explain that less hours of work will give more time to women to take care of their families. It will give them more money and more time to avoid resulting to prostitution or crime.