HC Deb 18 November 1912 vol 44 cc14-5
36. Mr. HILLS

asked the Prime Minister whether, if the Government of Ireland Bill becomes Law, the Irish Parliament will have power to alter or repeal the Factory and Workshop Acts as regards purely Irish matters; and whether it will have power to abrogate the international conventions concerning the prohibition of white phosphorus in match manufacturing, and night work by women in industrial occupations?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

The Irish Parliament will have power to repeal or amend the Factory and Workshops Acts as regards purely Irish matters, but not to abrogate conventions with foreign States.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

In the event of the Home Rule Bill being passed into law, will what a British representative says in connection with any future International Convention be binding on the Irish Government, or will the Irish Government have power to go beyond what is stated by the British representative?

The PRIME MINISTER

An International Convention would, of course, be binding on the Government.