HC Deb 04 June 1924 vol 174 cc1236-7
31. Mr. AYLES

asked the Minister of Labour what countries represented at the Washington Convention have refused to ratify the proposal for a 48-hour week; if he has any information as to the reasons for such refusal; and whether he can now state when he hopes to introduce his Bill for the ratification of the Convention by Great Britain?

Mr. SHAW

As the answer is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The following are the countries represented at the Washington International Labour Conference which have not so far ratified the Convention limiting the hours of work in industrial undertakings to eight in the day and 48 in the week:—

Argentine. Nicaragua
Belgium. Norway.
Bolivia. Panama.
Brazil. Paraguay.
Canada. Persia.
Chili. Peru.
China. Poland.
Columbia. Portugal.
Cuba. Salvador.
Denmark. Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Ecuador.
Finland.
France. Siam.
Great Britain. South Africa.
Guatemala. Spain.
Haiti. Sweden.
Italy. Switzerland.
Japan. Uruguay.
Netherlands. Venezuela.
Of these countries—according to information supplied by the International Labour Office—Argentine, Brazil, Chili, France, Italy, Netherlands and Spain have introduced legislation with a view to ratifying the Convention. Furthermore, several countries have either passed Acts or introduced Bills dealing with hours of labour.

While I have a certain amount of information as to the reasons given by some of the, Governments for their inability to ratify the Convention, it would be convenient if my hon. Friend would indicate the countries in which he is interested, in order that I might give him such information as is at my disposal.

In reply to the last part of the question, I am afraid I am not yet in a, position to indicate the precise date on which I shall introduce the Bill.