§ 32. Mr. BRIDGEMANasked the Minister of Labour if he can supply Members of the House of Commons with any information as to the proceedings of the International Labour Conference, held this year at Geneva, giving the names of the British representatives, the subjects discussed, and the results of the discussions?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Shaw)The July issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," of which I will send the right hon. Gentleman a copy, will contain a short article on the discussion at the recent International Labour Conference. I am also sending the right hon. Gentleman a list or the British representatives at the Conference. A Command Paper referring to the only recommendation finally adopted by the Conference will be published as soon as the authenticated text is available.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIs it not a fact that in order to get all the publications of the International Labour Office you have to pay a subscription of £8 a year? That is beyond my means and the means of many people. Would the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing a short account of what took place in the form of a White Paper, so that Members can know what is going on and, if they are interested in any particular subject, can apply for a particular volume and read it in detail?
§ Mr. SHAWI am willing to consider the suggestion, but I must see to what it amounts before I Call give a definite answer. If I have to publish everything in which everybody is interested, obviously the publication will be as extensive as the publications of the International Labour Office itself.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that if the House of Commons has to discuss Bills based upon recommendations of the Labour Conference, Members are entitled to have the information which is at the disposal of the Government?
§ Mr. SHAWI have told the right hon. Gentleman where he will get information on the point raised in the question. I am sending him a copy, with descriptive article, of the proceedings, and as soon as the recommendation itself is ready, the authenticated text will be issued.
Lieut.-Colonel LAMBERT-WARDWill the right hon. Gentleman arrange that the same information as is sent to the right hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Bridgeman) is sent also to all Members of the House?
§ Mr. J. HARRISIs it not the fact that the International Labour Office will send free of charge a very considerable quantity of literature to those who wish to receive it, with a reference to other documents I hat can be seen in London?
§ Mr. SHAWI would be pleased to send a copy of this Gazette to any Member who desires to have it. With regard to the second question, it is a fact that the International Labour Office issues free of charge to any applicant extensive and voluminous documents concerning its work.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANWill the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is that, when I have applied to the League of Nations Office for this information, they have told me that I could get it only by subscribing £8 a year, or £1 a year?