§ 5. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Labour the policy of the Government with reference to the ratification of the Washington Eight Hours' Convention; and what action, if any, for revision or otherwise is contemplated?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) on 30th November.
§ Mr. MANDERDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the great import- 1232 ance of this matter in view of the attempts that are being made to lengthen hours in Lancashire and other parts of the country?
§ Mr. HANNONAs a matter of fact, are not we better off in this country so far as hours of labour are concerned than if we ratified this Convention?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONWith regard to the question asked by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. Mander), I am not at all prepared to say that, if the Convention had been in operation in this country, the same difficulties would not have arisen.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it not the case, and does not all the information supplied to him by his Department prove it, that there can be no final solution of unemployment until we settle this question?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThat is a different question.