§ 17. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Home Secretary what the figures were of the final vote in favour of the ratification of the Convention for the abolition of night baking at the International Labour Conference; how many of the votes adverse to ratification represented Governments and which Governments; how many represented the employers; and how many the workers?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe figures at the final vote showed 81 in favour of the draft Convention and 26 against. Of the adverse votes, three were given by delegates representing the British and 2777 Indian Governments, and the remainder by employers' delegates. There were a considerable number of abstentions.
§ 18. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Home Secretary what the British Government propose to do in regard to the abolition of night baking; and whether they intend to legislate in order to carry into effect the Convention recently ratified by an overwhelming majority at the International Labour Conference at Geneva?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI would refer the hon. Member to statements made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and myself in answers to questions on the 7th and 13th May. In view of the findings of the Royal Commission on Food Prices, and having regard to the fact that none of the amendments which His Majesty's Government considered necessary were adopted by the Conference, the Government will not be able to ratify the draft Convention. No other steps to prohibit night baking are at present in contemplation.
§ Mr. TREVELYANIs it not the case that when amendments were moved on behalf of the Government the spokesman of the Government said that even if they were carried by the Convention the Government would not ratify them?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is not within my knowledge, and if the right hon. Gentleman states it to be a fact I will have immediate inquiries made.
§ Mr. TREVELYANI saw it in a report.
§ Mr. MACKINDERAre we to understand that although the Convention has been ratified the British Government refuse to put it into operation and continue to allow night baking?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThat is exactly what I said.
Captain ARTHUR EVANSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether European countries which have ratified this Convention have actually put it into operation?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not think there are any at present.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs it not the fact that a previous Committee approved the abolition of night baking? 2778 Was not one of his own colleagues a member of that Committee, and did he not sign the Report?
§ Mr. J. JONESAs a member of that Committee, I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that it was unanimously decided that, with certain limitations, all-night baking should be abolished in this country—long before there was a question of an international agreement? The right hon. Gentleman's colleague on that Committee acted most enthusiastically in favour of the abolition of night baking.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not know whether I can debate the whole subject in an answer to a question. The present Government have decided not to ratify the Convention, and I think any further questions should be put in debate.
§ Mr. PALINGIn view of the overwhelming opinion in favour of abolition, does not the Home Secretary think the action of the British Government is likely to prejudice the whole future of the International Labour Office?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for debate.