§ 25. Mr. ROBERT YOUNGasked the Minister of Labour how many draft conventions have been submitted for ratification to His Majesty's Government on behalf of the International Labour Organisation, and how many have been ratified?
§ Mr. BETTERTONUp to the present time 25 Draft International Labour Conventions have been adopted by the International Labour Conference. Of these, 13 have been ratified by His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. YOUNGMay I ask, first, if there is any intention of ratifying any of the other Conventions; and, secondly, is there any document published showing the details of the recent Conventions?
§ Mr. BETTERTONIn regard to the first supplementary question, no decision has yet been reached with regard to four of them. The four in question are the Repatriation of seamen and seamen's articles of agreement, 1926, and the sickness insurance (industry) and (agriculture) 1927. With regard to one other, the position is that ratification is conditional on the ratification by certain named States. Regarding the second supplementary question I will send the hon. Member a chart which will show him exactly the position with regard to the ratification of Conventions not only in respect of this country but in respect of all other countries which are members of the International Labour Organisation.
Commander WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman tell me how long it will be before he can come to some decision in the matter, and say whether it is likely to be shortly?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThat I cannot say. I think that question ought to be addressed to the Board of Trade.