22. Miss WARDasked the Secretary for Mines whether any conversations are in progress with the Coal Owners' Association and the Miners' Federation regarding the possibility of reducing hours to employ additional labour?
§ Mr. E. BROWNMy hon. Friend will be aware that the draft Convention relating to the hours of work in coal mines is to be dealt with at the General Conference of the International Labour Organisation which opens next week. I have already had conversations on the subject with representatives of both the Mining Association and the Mineworkers' Federation.
Miss WARDMay I ask whether, if there is no result of the conference, he will be prepared to take the same steps as are being taken by the Ministry of Labour to discuss not only the question of hours but the whole conditions in the industry
Mr. T.WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman state what the attitude of the Government will be when this conference meets?