HC Deb 14 July 1926 vol 198 cc386-7
29. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Minister of Labour whether the international organised employers have submitted to the Permanent Court of International Justice the question as to whether the International Labour Organisation is acting outside its competence in dealing with the extension of the prohibition of night work in bakeries to employers; and, if so, can he say whether a. decision has been reached and the terms of such decision?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir A. Steel-Maitland)

At the request of the governing body of the International Labour Office, the Secretary-General of the League of Nations has submitted to the Permanent Court of International Justice a general question as to the competence of the International Labour Organisation to propose legislation which would affect personal work by an employer. I have no information yet as to the decision of the Court.

Mr. DAVIES

May we take it that the British Government are adopting a neutral attitude on this very important point?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Obviously the British Government ought to await the decision of the Court.