HC Deb 27 February 1936 vol 309 cc622-4
7. Mr. ELLIS SMITH

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of the Government at the 1936 Geneva International Labour Conference to support the 1935 convention of a 40-hour week?

Mr. E. BROWN

The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the 40-hour week Convention, 1935, has been indicated in the replies which have been sent to questionnaires issued by the International Labour Office on the subject of the reduction of hours of work in certain industries. The questionnaires and replies are long and I propose to circulate them in the form of a White Paper.

Mr. THORNE

When sending a delegate to Geneva in July will the Government give him instructions to support a 40-hour week?

Mr. LAWSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman himself represent the Government on this matter?

Mr. BROWN

There is another question on that point.

Mr. SHINWELL

Do the Government propose, in connection with the 40-hour week, to do what has already been done in connection with the seven and a quarter hours convention—that is nothing?

Mr. BROWN

The hon. Member had better await the White Paper.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to tell the House "yes" or "no," whether the Government intend to support the Convention?

Mr. BROWN

With regard to this question it is not possible to give an answer "yes" or "no" without going into a long series of propositions and that is why I propose to inform Members of the House at length on the whole position by means of a White Paper.

Mr. LEACH

Is it not the case that the Minister is sitting on the fence?

Mr. E. SMITH

When are we likely to get the White Paper?

Mr. BROWN

Very soon.

11. Mr. CHARLES BROWN

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has been able to assist the International Labour Office to obtain the advice of textile experts in this country on the application of the 40-hour week to that industry; whether the National Confederation of Employers' Organisations and the General Council of the Trades Union Congress have been consulted with regard to the matters in question; and what has been their response?

Mr. E. BROWN

In view of the decision of the governing body of the International Labour Organisation to place the subject of the reduction of hours in the textile industries on the agenda of the International Labour Conference in June next with a view to endeavouring to adopt a draft, convention by a single discussion, the director obtained authority to consult experts in those industries on the technical questions involved. He indicated that he wished to consult primarily persons belonging to the employers' and workers' organisations. The International Labour Office has, therefore, been in direct touch with employers' organisations and trade unions in these industries and members of the staff have both visited mills and consulted textile representatives. The director also asked that a Government expert should be nominated. It has not been found practicable, however, to nominate a Government representative properly qualified to give expert technical advice in all these branches of industry. In due course a report will be issued by the International Labour Office in preparation for the Conference and, in accordance with the normal practice, I shall consult the National Confederation of Employers' Organisations and the Trades Union Congress General Council with regard to the matters dealt with therein.

Mr. C. BROWN

Is it a fact that the employers have adopted a policy of complete non-co-operation in regard to this matter?

Mr. E. BROWN

I have told the hon. Member that the director has been in touch with the textile industries of various countries. I have no knowledge of the material obtained or to the extent to which expert advice has been given or sought in the various countries.

Mr. C. BROWN

Can the Minister state more specifically why the Government have refused to nominate an expert of their own?

Mr. E. BROWN

If the hon. Member will consider in fact that one expert would be asked to cover all these various industries—cotton, wool, silk, flax, hemp, jute and hosiery—he will understand me when I say that, in regard to the demand for the appointment of such an expert I felt rather like the man who saw a giraffe for the first time and said, "There ain't no such creature."