22. Mr. ALLENasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of his undertaking to deal with the question of the import into this country of sweated goods through international discussion, he has any progress to report in this matter?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe Government will continue to take every opportunity to promote international agreement on labour standards.
Mr. ALLENMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman appreciates the fact that the question has an important bearing on unemployment, and is the Government prepared to do anything in the matter?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat connection is quite clearly recognised, and I can assure the hon. Member that it is constantly before us.
§ Mr. SANDERSMay I ask whether the attention of the right hon. Gentleman has been called to the action taken by the International Labour Conference of the League of Nations with regard to international agreements concerning minimum wages fixed by law, and with the attitude of British employers of labour towards that proposal?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThere has been a good deal of material circulated under the auspices of the League of Nations and other bodies, and I think the House will agree that I can hardly start discussing these matters in reply to a Supplementary Question.
§ Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not the case that if he is successful in persuading Europe to stabilise present tariffs, it will be impossible for this or any other Government to deal with the question of imported sweated goods?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI do not agree for a moment that there is the connection which the hon. and gallant Member suggests. I think it is quite possible to support a movement to reduce tariffs and at the same time to support a movement to improve labour conditions.
§ Sir H. CROFTWas not the right hon. Gentleman's proposal to stabilise existing tariffs?