HC Deb 29 November 1920 vol 135 c1035

In order to facilitate the enforcement of the provisions of this Convention, every shipmaster shall be required to keep a register of all persons under the age of sixteen years employed on board his vessel, or a list of them in the articles of agreement, and of the dates of their births.—[Mr. Shortt.]

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I wish to move, as an Amendment to the proposed Amendment, in Article 1, to leave out the words it excludes ships of war.

Mr. SPEAKER

These words are in a Convention agreed to at Genoa. You cannot amend that Convention. It could have been amended only at Genoa.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

If we have the right to ratify the Convention have we not the right to amend it?

Mr. SPEAKER

This is being inserted in the Schedule for the purpose of information. It is exactly what has been agreed to at Genoa. No Amendment can alter the Convention which has been agreed to by the different States.

Lieut. -Commander KENWORTHY

This does not in any way limit the scope of the Convention.

Mr. SPEAKER

The question before us is the Convention approved by the League of Nations, which we cannot alter.

Amendment agreed to.

Bill re-committed to a Committee of the Whole House for to-morrow in respect of the new Clause (Employment of women and young persons in shifts") inserted on Consideration—[Mr. Shortt]—and to be printed. [Bill 246.]