HC Deb 02 July 1935 vol 303 cc1695-6
37. Mr. G. HALL

asked the Minister of Labour whether the difficulties raised by His Majesty's Government which prevented the application of the convention on hours of work in coal mines adopted in 1931 have now been removed; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to take immediate steps to ratify this convention?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Ernest Brown)

The points raised by His Majesty's Government in respect of the Hours of Work (Coal Mines) Convention, 1931, have been satisfactorily met by a revision of the Convention at the International Labour Conference which concluded last week. His Majesty's Government are prepared to ratify the revised Convention simultaneously with the other six countries named in the text of the Convention.

Mr. HALL

Ought not the Government to take the initiative in this matter?

Mr. BROWN

The policy of the Government was clearly stated on the 23rd February, 1932, and remains the same now.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Would ratification involve legislation?

Mr. BROWN

It would.