§ 5. Mr. Cluseasked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any report on the discussions at the International Labour Conference of a draft convention on the limitation of hours of work in the textile, printing and chemical industries; and what was the attitude of His Majesty's representative?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe attitude of the Government was stated fully in the Debate which took place in the House yesterday.
§ Mr. BrownI have read a great many criticisms, using the word "criticism" in the sense of it being just appraisement —giving praise where praise is due, and blame where blame is due.
§ 9. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Labour the attitude of the British Government to the proposal at the International Labour Conference to pass a resolution requesting the Governing Body to consider immediately the question of a special draft convention on the reduction of hours of work in the textile industry and the chemical and printing industries?
§ Mr. BrownThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. No proposal to pass a resolution requesting the Governing Body of the International Labour Office to consider the question of special draft conventions for the textile, chemical and printing industries was before the Conference.
§ 10. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Labour why the British delegate was absent on the occasion of the vote of the committee of the International Labour Conference on the 40-hour week in the textile industry, when the draft convention was adopted by 73 votes to 40; and who the delegate is?
§ Mr. BrownThe British delegate, Mr. Leggett, was present on the occasion referred to by the hon. Member, but did not take part in the voting.
§ Mr. ManderCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the British delegate was not able to make up his mind to vote?
§ Mr. ManderI was not asking about the delegate making up his own mind, but why the British Government were unable to make up their minds?
§ Mr. BrownI happened on that occasion to be in the Committee, and I quite approved of his attitude. There are three lobbies—the "Aye" lobby, the "No" lobby and the "Agin you both" lobby.
§ Mr. LawsonCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why a vote was not given?
§ Mr. BrownThe British Government expressed their opinion definitely in every case where it was a matter of principle, but in this case there had been no examination of the expert technical work done at Washington. Apparently the textile committee had come to the conclusion that it would not have any detailed discussion.
§ Sir Percy HarrisWill the right hon. Gentleman try to get us a report of the working of the 40-hour week in the textile industry in America? Does he not think that we could get some valuable experience from their operation of it?
§ Mr. BrownThere will be a complete report of the proceedings at Geneva, and I think that the hon. Baronet will find that there is more than one point of view on this subject.
§ 14. Mr. Bateyasked the Minister of Labour what steps the Government now propose to take to obtain a reduction of working hours in the large industries in Great Britain?
§ Mr. BrownI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 10th June, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. BateyIs the Minister aware that his predecessor led the House to believe that the Government were going to take steps to shorten the working day? Has he reversed that decision?
§ Mr. BrownThe only thing that has been reversed is that the situation to-day is entirely different from what it was three years ago.
§ Sir John HaslamWill the Minister carefully avoid taking the steps of the last Socialist Government, which reduced the number of working hours?