HC Deb 17 February 1926 vol 191 cc1926-8
36. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

asked the Minister of Labour whether Japan has yet ratified the agreement as to hours of labour arrived at by the International Labour Conference at Washington in 1919; and the number of hours that her cotton mills work a day?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The answer to the first part of the question is that Japan has not yet ratified the Washington Hours Convention. With regard to the second part, according to statistics supplied by the Japan 'Cotton Spinners' Association, and published by the International Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Associations, which are the latest figures in my possession, the working hours in cotton mills in Japan, in the year "1924, averaged 91 per shift, two shifts being worked by the mills per day.

Mr. T. SHAW

Has this country ratified the Washington Convention?

Mr. JOHNSTON

Is it not the case that these cotton mills in Japan have machinery running for 22 hours per day; and can the right hon. Gentleman say why the Government have refused to call Japan to the Conference in regard to the proper ratification of the eight-hours days: and, further, can he say if he is prepared to propose an international boycott of any country where goods are produced in violation of the signatures appended to this document?

Mr. SPEAKER

The last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question does not arise.

Mr. RILEY

Have the Government any information that Japan is not prepared to ratify the Washington Convention if Great Britain and France do the same?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

With regard to the question put by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Preston (Mr. T. Shaw) as to whether Great Britain has ratified the Convention, I am glad to give him the information for which lie wishes, and it is that, as yet, we have not done so. With regard to the questions by the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Johnston) I am not aware that in Japan these mills are working for 22 hours a day, but if the hon. Member has any fresh information on the subject, I shall be glad to get it. As regards an invitation to Japan to attend this preliminary conference, the only reason for inviting a limited number of countries, in the first instance, is that if agreement is to be ultimately reached among the larger number, the best way to success is to see whether some of the countries involved cannot first come to agreement among themselves. Obviously, it would be more practical to proceed in this way than to endeavour to find agreement in the first instance among the 30 or more countries concerned.

Mr. RILEY

The right hon. Gentleman has not replied to my question, which was, whether the Government have any information that Japan will ratify the Convention when Great Britain has done the same.

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Not to my remembrance at the moment. If the hon. Member will put the question down or ask me privately, I will give him whatever information I have with regard to it.

Mr. PALING

Is it not a fact that lots of countries have signified their willingness to sign this Convention if Great Britain will do so first?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

No, it is the case in one or two instances, but in only a few.

39. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can announce the date of the forthcoming conference of Ministers of Labour; and whether its sessions will be open to the public?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The date that has been suggested to the foreign Governments concerned for the opening of the conference is 15th March. It will be for the conference to decide whether its sessions shall be open to the public.