HC Deb 27 June 1932 vol 267 cc1473-4
49. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government have taken, or intend to take, with a view to satisfying the Washington Eight Hours' Convention?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on this subject on 28th April to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. Mander), of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Have the Government not considered this question recently, and have they not made up their minds that it is desirable to ratify this Convention?

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Has the Parliamentary Secretary found out why his predecessors never took an opportunity of ratifying this Convention during the last three years?

Mr. HUDSON

I do not think that I can usefully add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Will the Parliamentary Secretary convey to the Minister of Labour the fact that, as we have 2,500,000 people out of work, a general all-round reduction of hours seems to be the only way of re-absorbing many of our unemployed, and will he reconsider this question?

Mr. HUDSON

I cannot accept the hon. Member's premises.

Mr. MANDER

Would it not be a great advantage to the industries of this country if foreigners were brought up to our standard by a measure of this kind?

Mr. HUDSON

That does not necessarily follow from our ratifying the Convention.