§ 41. Mr. LLOYDasked the Minister of Labour whether the United States, America, France, Belgium, Japan, Italy, or Poland has ratified the Washington Convention relating to hours of labour?
§ Mr. SHAWAs the hon. Member is aware, the United States is not a member of the International Labour Organisation. With regard to the other countries mentioned, while they have not actually ratified the Convention, legislation or administrative decrees are in force in them limiting the hours of work. Moreover, since the Armistice, 8-hour day laws or administrative regulations of varying scope have also been enacted in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Czechoslovakia, Luxemburg, Russia, Jugoslavia, Latvia, various South American States, and British Columbia.
§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNWhen were these orders put into force in France, and in what circumstances?
§ Mr. SHAWI think the House will recognise that it is impossible for me to answer a supplementary question of that kind.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that progress abroad depends upon the example given in this country?
§ Mr. REMERIs it not a fact that in Germany the hours of labour are 60 weekly as stipulated by law?
§ Mr. SHAWIt is not a fact that the law in Germany provides for a 60 hours week. It is a fact that Germany is a beaten nation. It is also a fact that the Washington Convention was passed in 1919 and that we are now in 1924.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir JOSEPH NALLArising out of the original reply, do the decrees and orders mentioned therein fully enforce all the points in the Convention?
§ Mr. SHAWOn that matter I believe there are differences of opinion, but to my personal knowledge it is a fact that in most countries represented at Washington, within 12 months after the Convention was adopted, steps were taken to introduce legislation altering the law regarding hours of labour.