§ MR. SUMMERSI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that on March 24th, 1890, Sir John Gorst applied to Lord Salisbury for permission to vote in the Labour Conference at Berlin in favour of the proposal to raise the minimum age of child labour to 12 years; whether he is aware that such permission was granted by Lord Salisbury on March 26th, and that the British delegates voted accordingly in favour of the proposal which was adopted by the Conference; and whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation carrying out the recommendations of the Conference on this subject?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThe answer to the first two questions is in the affirma- 1193 tive. The subject is one which it is not possible to deal with this Session.
§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)May I ask whether there was not an understanding in the Conference that Her Majesty's Government would favour such legislation?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI am not aware of any such understanding.
§ MR. SUMMERSI would invite the right hon. Gentleman to state what course the Government are prepared to take in regard to the Amendments on the subject which stand upon the Paper. Will he accept such Amendments in accordance with the recommendation of the Berlin Conference?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThe hon. Gentleman is aware of the attitude which the Government took in the Standing Committee on the matter. When the Amendments are reached, my right hon. Friend will state the course which the Government are ready to take.
§ MR. ELLIOTT LEESCan the right hon. Gentleman state whether Germany herself has taken any action in consequence of the recommendations of the Berlin Conference?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI cannot charge my memory with the exact reply I gave some days ago. I will ascertain, if the hon. Member will repeat the question.