§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, at the recent International Labour Conference, the delegates of His Majesty's Government abstained from assenting to both of the two propositions agreed to, or whether their dissent was confined to the proposals as to interdiction of the use of white or yellow phosphorus to the match trade, agreed to by Germany, France, and 1099 most of the other Powers represented, and made conditional on the assent of all, and on that of Japan; and whether any further steps are contemplated by His Majesty's Government as to the five Articles of the Convention on the industrial employment of women in nigh work.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sIn accordance with the instructions given them, the delegates of this country abstained from voting on either of the resolution when finally put to the vote of the Conference. As regards the employment of women at night, I understand that the restrictions proposed by the Conference fall short of those already imposed by the English law. The final Report however, of the proceedings of the Conference has not yet been received, and until I have had an opportunity of considering it I shall not be in a position to make any statement as to the attitude of His Majesty's Government toward the proposals adopted at the Conference.
§ SIR CHARLES DILKEgave notice that he would call attention to the subject on the Home Office Vote.