§ 80. Mr. T. SHAWasked the Minister of Labour whether a statement was made to the conference of labour ministers in London that His Majesty's Government was unable to ratify the Washington Hours Convention; whether there was any disagreement between the Ministers; and, if so, on what point or points this lack of agreement was shown?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The London Conference formulated a series of agreed conclusions with which the right hon. Gentleman is familiar. I am not aware that there was any disagreement as to the text of these conclusions, but as I pointed out in my speech on 27th February my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour, felt and expressed considerable doubt as to whether they were not encroaching upon revision, and I cannot say that there was agreement on this point.