46. Mr. LINDSAYasked the Prime Minister whether the question of the reduction of hours of labour will be considered by the World Economic Conference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs my hon. Friend is probably aware, this subject has been under consideration by the International Labour Organisation, and I cannot say at present whether or in what form it may come before the World Economic Conference. It is not included in the Draft Agenda prepared by the Preparatory Committee of Experts.
Mr. LINDSAYIs it not the fact that the report of the International Labour Conference is not to be considered until July, and will the right hon. Gentleman not consider the inclusion of this very important question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is not in my hands.
§ Mr. MAXTONHaving regard to the fact that world conditions have taken a very serious turn since the agenda was drafted, particularly in the United States of America and in Germany, do I understand from the Prime Minister that it will be impossible to add subjects to the agenda as now drafted?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, I do hope the House will not put that meaning on what I have said. It is not impossible to add subjects to those provided for by the Experts Committee, but, naturally, by the terms of the Conference, I am not going to invite all and sundry to overburden the agenda.
§ Mr. HICKSIn the event of it being possible to include the question of hours in the agenda, will the British Government give such a proposal their favourable consideration and sympathy?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is not merely the British Government which will have to decide on that matter. It will have to be decided in accordance with the ordinary rules of chairmanship.
§ Mr. HICKSIn view of the fact that at the Preparatory Conference at Geneva the British Government took up an attitude which was an unenviable one, in my opinion, is it not possible for the British Government to adopt a friendly attitude towards the question of the reduction of the hours of labour?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is a misapprehension of what was the attitude of the British Government.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman bearing in mind that the House gave a considered decision on this subject last December, when it rejected a certain Bill by a very large majority?