§ 53. Mr. JOHNSTON (for Mr. ROBERT YOUNG)asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the statements made at the last Conference of the International Labour Organisation with regard to the superiority of labour conditions in India over those in Japan and China, the Secretary of State will suggest to the International Labour Organisation that a conference on this subject should be held between the representatives of India, Japan and China, similar to the conference recently held in London between certain European Powers, to consider the question of labour conditions and, in particular, of the hours of labour?
§ Earl WINTERTONMy Noble Friend will transmit the suggestion to the Government of India, for an expression of their views.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the Noble Lord aware that India is the only country in the world which honoured its signature at the Washington Convention, and that India is subject to extraordinary competition from a country which has refused to honour its signature?
§ Earl WINTERTONI am aware of that most important fact, though I cannot accept the statement entirely in the form in which the hon. Member made it.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONWhy not?
§ Earl WINTERTONFor reasons which it would be impossible to explain in answer to a question. I sympathise entirely with the point of view the hon. Member put, but that is quite a different matter from doing what the question asks that the Government of India shall do, that is, to be responsible for suggesting that these friendly foreign Powers should take part in a conference. The matter is receiving the consideration of the Government of India and is also under the purview of the International Labour Bureau.