§ 69. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Minister of Labour whether the Regulations for officials of the International Labour Office permit of their taking active part in lobbying at International Labour Conferences to secure the passing of draft conventions in the sense desired by them; and, if not, whether instructions will be given to the representatives of His Majesty's Government on the governing body of the International Labour Office to endeavour to secure the establishment of such Regulations?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe existing staff Regulations make no reference to this matter, and I have grave doubts whether Regulations could be framed satisfactorily to deal with it. Should there be ground of complaint on any occasion, the matter would appear to be one to be dealt with as a point of internal discipline by the Director of the International Labour Office.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKWould the hon. Gentleman countenance the lobbying in this House of Members by permanent officials, as is done in Geneva?
§ Mr. BETTERTONIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at my answer he will see that I make no admission that there has been Lobbying at Geneva. But if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me any specific case which he wishes to have looked into my right hon. Friend will consider whether he should communicate direct with the Director himself.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKBut did not the hon. Gentleman himself take part in a recent conference in May and June?
§ Mr. BETTERTONYes, that is quite true, I have been at Geneva many times, but no such procedure has come under my notice.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that most Members of this House have been Lobbied in respect to the Safeguarding of Industries by certain interested parties?
§ 70 and 71. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether instructions will be given to the representatives of His Majesty's Government on the governing body of the Inter- 978 national Labour Office to endeavour to secure greater control of the office by the Governing Body and to prevent the recurrence of the drawing up of draft conventions purporting to represent the average of the various relevant legislative measures, but in fact going far beyond the legislation enforced even in the most advanced countries such as is described in the Report on the 1925 Conference (Cmd. 2465), in regard to workmen's compensation for industrial accidents;
(2) whether instructions will be given to the representatives of His Majesty's Government on the Governing Body of the International Labour Office to endeavour to secure a revival of the procedure of two readings of draft conventions at successive Conferences, so as to prevent a recurrence of ill-considered action such as is described in the Report on the 1925 Conference (Cmd. 2465), in regard to workmen's compensation for industrial accidents?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe whole matter of the procedure in respect of conventions was referred to the Governing Body by the last Conference, and the points raised in these two questions are among those to be considered by the Standing Orders Committee of the Governing Body at their meeting this week.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKMight I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he has not given expression to his view, and how is he going to prevent the recurrence of what I complain?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe hon. and gallant Gentleman has in his question raised two matters of great complexity. One is the Second Reading procedure and the other the procuration of the draft. It so happens that almost by a coincidence this very matter is being considered this very day at the Standing Orders Committee of the Governing Body at Brussels. Till I get the report of what they have done, obviously, I cannot express any opinion.