§ 56. Mr. LESLIEasked the Secretary for Mines whether the Government are represented at Geneva on the committee dealing with the question of hours in mines; and, if so, what is the attitude of the Government on the subject?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe membership of the committee referred to did not include a representative of His Majesty's Government, but one has been present at the meetings of the committee. As regards the second part of the question, the view of His Majesty's Government with regard to the application to various industries (including Coal Mining) of the principle of the 1935 Forty-hour Draft Convention was expressed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour in a speech he delivered to the International Labour Conference last week. This speech will be published in due course in the Record of the Conference, but I will send the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mr. SHINWELLCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman explain why no representative of the Government was present at the meeting of this committee, and does the absence of a representative of the Government or an official of the Department indicate that the Government have abandoned the idea of ratifying this convention?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe views of the Government on the latter point have been expressed several times in the House. I have said that a representative of the Government was present at the meeting of the committee, but he was not a member of the committee. He was not a member because he was not asked to be.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs it not possible for an official of the Mines Department to become a member of the committee if His Majesty's Government so desire?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI should like to have notice of that question, but I understand that, generally speaking, membership is chosen by a selection committee.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKNo, Sir.