44. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTANDOYLEasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to state the nature of the decision reached at the International Labour Conference witn reference to international action regarding hours of work in mines?
§ Mr. SHINWELLA Convention dealing with the hours of work in coal mines was drawn up in committee and secured a majority of votes in the full Conference, but narrowly failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority in the final vote. The Conference then decided by a large majority to place the question on the agenda for next year.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEIs the hon. Member aware that the conferences which have been held up to the present time have been abortive; and may I ask whether it is intended to continue them?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI take the opposite view. I think they have achieved a large measure of success.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEWill the hon. Member say what practical results have been attained up to the present?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI could, if there were time.