§ 1. Mr. GEORGE HALLasked the Minister of Labour if he will state on what grounds the representative of His Majesty's Government at the recent preparatory technical conference of the International Labour Organisation opposed the majority decision in the proposal of the 40-hour week as a remedy for unemployment?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Henry Betterton)I would refer the hon. Member to the very full reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hallam (Mr. L. Smith) on this subject on the 9th February.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government are going to change their mind in regard to the hours?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNot until we know the facts.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware of all the facts relative to the hours of employment; and does he not think that his Department will always be in difficulty until the hours of labour are reduced?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir.
§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHIs my right hon. Friend aware that in industrial circles there is a very strong feeling that to make any drastic changes of this character at the present time would add to unemployment owing to the increased difficulties which would obtain in some of our export trades?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI am well aware that that view is held in many quarters.
§ Captain PETER MACDONALDDoes not my right hon. Friend think that, as the nations were unable to reach agreement on the 48 hours' week, it is absolutely useless to waste so much time discussing a 40 hours' week?
§ Mr. THORNEAnd our Government are the worst offenders of the lot.
§ 14. Captain MACDONALDasked the Minister of Labour at the instance of what nations the recent inquiry into the proposal for a 40-hour week was instituted by the International Labour Office?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe recent discussions on the subject of a reduction of hours of work by the International Labour Organisation had their origin in reports of the unemployment committee of its governing body, in subsequent decisions of that body, and in a resolution passed at the International Labour Conference of 1932. The discussions were expedited as a result of a request of the representative of the Italian Government that a special session of the governing body should be convened to consider the adoption of an emergency procedure with a view to exploring the possibility of framing proposals, capable of immediate application, for the reduction of hours of work internationally as a means of combating unemployment. In consequence the governing body decided that a preparatory conference to discuss the technical problems should be held in January.
§ Captain MACDONALDAs it is impossible to reach an agreement in regard to a 48-hour week, is it not an absurd waste of time to talk about a 40-hour week?
§ Mr. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether between now and next June this question will come before the Cabinet for their decision, with a view to getting a 40-hour week?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIt is not for me to say what will come before the Cabinet.
§ Mr. CAPORNIs it part of the policy that the 40-hour week should be applied to agriculture? If so, what will be the effect on the price of milk?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.