HC Deb 22 June 1927 vol 207 cc1835-6
26. Mr. KELLY

asked the Minister of Labour what number of hours are set out as the normal working week in the textile mills of Belgium?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The normal duration of effective work in Belgium for industry generally, including the textile industry, is limited by law to eight hours a day and 48 hours a week. These hours may be exceeded in the case of preparatory or complementary work necessarily executed outside the hours assigned for productive processes, and in the case of breakdowns. According to the reports of the Belgian factory inspectors, it appears to be a common, though not universal, practice in the textile industry to work an extra hour for cleaning, in addition to the 48 hours.

Mr. KELLY

Has the right hon. Gentleman any report as to other breaches of this normal working week in Belgium?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

No, I could not say that I have detailed information, because I have not really endeavoured to ascertain in detail how far the actual industry of each country comes directly up to the standard of 48 hours.

Mr. HARRIS

Could not the right hon. Gentleman find out through our Consuls how this eight hours' day is working?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Yes, I am always making inquiries to get what information I can, but I am limited to a certain extent in the degree of information which I can get, and in certain circumstances I find it rather hard to obtain it.

Mr. RILEY

Is it not the fact that in Belgium the Washington Convention has been ratified, and that the general hours are 48 a week; and is it not a fact that in the West Riding of Yorkshire attempts have been made in the textile factories to increase the hours to 54 a week?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I am not sure about the latter question, and I am not sure that it arises out of the answer I gave. It is quite true that the Belgian Government has ratified the Convention, but I ought also to say that the Belgian law is such that, if we had a similar law, I am not at all sure that we should feel entitled on the strength of it to ratify the Washington Convention.

Mr. TAYLOR

At the conference last year between the representatives of Belgium and this country and other countries, was any complaint made as to the Belgian interpretation of the Convention?

Mr. SPEAKER

I think that question ought to be put on the Paper.