§ 35. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the amount of £2,350 as the estimated expenses for 1925–26 for travelling and incidentals in connection with the Annual Conference of the. Inter national Labour Organisation; if he will state the number of delegates and technical advisers who attend this conference and for what length of time; and whether he will consider the advisability of curtailing this expense?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir A. Steel-Maitland)Under the Versailles Treaty the Government is bound to send two Government delegates, one employers' delegate and one workers' delegate, who may each be accompanied by advisers, up to a maximum of eight. In the interests of economy, I am trying to secure that this number shall not exceed six. The conference to begin on 2199 19th May next will probably not last more than three weeks. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that every possible effort will be made to curtail expenses consistently with the adequate representation of British interests at the conference.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere is another question on that subject.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONMay we take it that it is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to do anything to weaken the only organisation that the working classes have got out of the Versailles Treaty?
§ Colonel WOODCOCKInstead of weakening the organisation, I asked that the expenses should be reduced, and may I put it that many of us think—
§ Mr. HAYDAYTo what extent would the reduction from eight to six advisers bring about an economy?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI think—I have been asked the question and I answer offhand—to the extent of about one sixth.
§ 46. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Minister of Labour if he has yet appointed the representatives of this country to attend the International Labour Organisation at its Annual Conference at Geneva; and, if so, can he give the names of such representatives?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThese representatives have not yet been appointed.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKWill the Minister endeavour to see that these representatives do not spend £100 each a week in expenses in connection with this matter?
Captain BENNIn view of the fact that the inquiry is to be into trades in which women are closely interested, would the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that one of the representatives shall be a woman?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI will certainly consider that point, but the 2200 principal object, which I am quite sure would be the desire of all, is to send out as representatives those who are most suitable.
§ Sir HENRY CRAIKSeeing that this country has only one vote out of 50 upon this international organisation, why is it necessary to send out a large number of representatives?
§ Sir A. STEEL - MAITLANDThe number of representatives is four, and they may have certain experts with them. That is a provision, if I remember aright, of the Treaty of Versailles, and I do not think we can be a party to breaking the Treaty.
§ Sir H. CRAIKBut is it not the case that we have only one vote out of 50 in that organisation, although we are contributing one-tenth of the money?
§ 68. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Minister of Labour the names of the States who are members of the International Labour Organisation; the proportion of the expenses borne by each State; whether any of these States have been at any time in arrears of their payments; and, if so, which States have not contributed regularly?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI regret that in the short time available it has not been possible to collect the information desired. I am, however, considering what information it will be possible to give on the various points raised, and I will forward a statement to my hon. and gallant friend as soon as possible.
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the names of the members of the organisation were read to the Committee only a few days ago, and that, while we have only one vote in 50, we pay one-tenth of the expenses?
§ Colonel WOODCOCKWill the right hon. Gentleman also ascertain if the States who do not pay any contribution are allowed to attend the discussions and vote at the Conference at Geneva?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe last supplementary question, if I may say so, does not really arise out of the question put. As regards the first supplementary question, it is perfectly true that some information is already available, and I have been trying to get the whole of the 2201 information together. As regards our having only one vote in 50, while we pay a much larger proportion of the expenses, that is perfectly true. It attaches similarly to our membership of the League of Nations, but I have not yet heard that anyone has been disposed to question it.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that every one of these States pays its delegates £100 a week for expenses?