HC Deb 30 June 1931 vol 254 cc1065-6
56. Major WOOD (for Mr. MANDER)

asked the Minister of Labour what announcement was made on behalf of the Government, at the recent meeting of the International Labour Office at Geneva, with reference to the ratification next Session of the Washington Eight Hours Convention?

Miss BONDFIELD

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the statement made by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, as delegate of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom at the International Labour Conference at Geneva on 3rd June.

Major WOOD

Is the right hon. Lady really pressing this matter on her colleagues in the Cabinet?

Sir HENRY BETTERTON

Does that statement also convey the resentment that the Government feel against the aspersion cast on it by Mr. Thomas?

Miss BONDFIELD

Yes.

Major WOOD

May we expect legislation at an early date?

Miss BONDFIELD

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at the answer.

Following is the statement: The present Labour Government came into office just two years ago and one of its first acts was to announce here its decision to ratify the Washington Convention. This represented a great advance on the hesitations and delays of the previous 10 years, and the Government lost no time in preparing the necessary legislation, which was presented to Parliament early last year. It is true that it has not been possible to pass the Bill into law owing to the pressure of other urgent business, arising largely out of the economic depression and the necessity of safeguarding in many directions the interests of our working class. It is well known that the great majority of our workers are already protected by agreements which secure to them conditions in regard to hours of labour which are no less favourable, and in many cases are more favourable, than those prescribed by the Washington Convention. At the same time, the Government has not in any degree weakened in its intention to pass the Bill, or in its firm adherence to the principle of international co-operation in raising the standard of labour conditions throughout the world. If nothing unforeseen happens, it is the intention of the British Government to get the Bill through and it intends to make arrangements next Session for that to be done.