Law and Policies

Question 1

Historical Law:

Children’s Charter -

. Year?
. State?

Answer 1

1 - 1889

2 - It was the first Act of Parliament for the prevention of cruelty to children. (Girls aged >16, Boys >14)
It enabled the state to intervene, for the first time, in relations between parents and children.
Police could arrest anyone found ill-treating a child, and enter a home if a child was thought to be in danger.
(The act included guidelines on the employment of children and outlawed begging.)

Question 2

Historical Law:

Factory Act -

. Year?
. State?

Answer 2

1 - 1833

2 - The Government passed a Factory Act to improve conditions for children working in factories.
Young children were working very long hours in workplaces where conditions were often terrible. However, the passing of this act did not mean that the mistreatment of children stopped overnight.
The basic act was as follows:
- No child workers under nine years of age.
- Employers must have an age certificate for their child workers.
- Children of 9-13 years to work no more than nine hours a day.
- Children of 13-18 years to work no more than 12 hours a day.
- Children are not to work at night.
- Two hours schooling each day for children.
- Four factory inspectors appointed to enforce the law.

Question 3

Conservative (more right wing):

Contraceptive Pill -

. Year?
. State?

Answer 3

1 - 1961

2 - Health Minister Enoch Powell announced that women who wished to have oral contraception would be able to receive it through the NHS and that the family planning association (FPA) approved the use of oral contraceptives in its clinics.

Question 4

Labour (more left wing):

The Sexual Offences Act -

. Year?
. State?

Answer 4

1 - 1967

2- Parliament legalised homosexual acts, on the condition that they were consensual, in private and between two men who had attained the age of 21.

Question 5

Labour (more left wing):

Legalization of Abortion -

. Year?
. State?

Answer 5

1 - 1967

2-