The Chimney Sweepers and Chimneys Regulation Act 1840 (3 & 4 Vict. c. 85) was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed to try to stop child labour. Many boys as young as six were being used as chimney sweeps. One of many chimney sweeps such as Newport, Isle of Wight's Valentine Grey, a 10-year-old, who was murdered by his master Benjamin Davis because he had failed to clean a chimney properly, forced the passing of the "Climbing Boys Act". This act prohibited any person under 21 being compelled or knowingly allowed to ascend or descend a chimney or flue for sweeping, cleaning or coring.
Subsequent developments Section 6 of the act was repealed by section 346(1)(b) of, and the fifth part of the third schedule to, the Public Health Act 1936 (26 Geo. 5 & 1 Edw. 8. c. 49), which came into force on 1 October 1937. The whole act was repealed for England and Wales by section 1(1) of the Chimney Sweepers Acts (Repeal) Act 1938 (1 & 2 Geo. 6. c. 58), which came into force on 29 July 1938. The whole act was repealed for Scotland and Northern Ireland by section 1 of, and the part IX of the schedule to, the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1971, which came into force on 27 July 1971.
See also Child labour in the British Industrial Revolution Chimney Sweepers Act 1788 Chimney Sweepers Act 1834 Chimney Sweepers Regulation Act 1864 Chimney Sweepers Act 1875 Chimney sweeps' carcinoma Percivall Pott
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