20. Mr. ALLENasked the Minister of Labour whether she will make a statement as to the steps which have been taken by the present Government to secure the establishment and enforcement of international labour standards, particularly in regard to wages?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI would refer the hon. Member to the reply on this subject given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on the 21st January, and to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Mr. Albery) on the 6th February. Since these replies were given the Governing Body of the International Labour Office has decided to place on the agenda of the International Labour Conference in June next the question of an international arrangement in respect of the regulation of hours in coal mining, and further progress has been made in respect of the inquiry into conditions in the textile trades. It is the policy of the Government to promote effective action by the International Labour Organisation in the establishment of international standards of working conditions.
Mr. ALLENWould it not be most effective and practicable to impose an embargo on goods produced under sweated conditions abroad?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThat is not a matter for my Department.