HC Deb 18 March 1937 vol 321 cc2234-5
16. Mr. W. A. Robinson

asked the Minister of Labour whether any instructions have been given to the British delegation to the World Textile Conference at Washington as to their attitude in the event of a 40-hour week in the textile industry being proposed by some other delegation?

Mr. E. Brown

The conference at Washington in April is a technical conference, the object of which is to consider all those aspects of the textile industry which directly or indirectly may have a bearing on the improvement of social conditions in the industry. The question of adopting a convention for a 40-hour week for the industry is to be considered at the annual conference of the International Labour Organisation in June. The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the latter question was stated in my speech at the annual conference last year.

Mr. Robinson

Will the Minister and the Government bear in mind what happened at the 48-hour Convention in Washington in 1919, when, in spite of our adherence to it then, we have never operated it; and will the same unsympathetic attitude be taken with regard to the 40-hour week?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the basis and purpose of this conference. It is a technical conference, and is not for the purpose of adopting conventions.

Mr. Robinson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to American information we have in our possession, a resolution is being staged on the 4o-hour week, and will the Government's representative be authorised to oppose that resolution or to support it?

Mr. Brown

I have pointed out that this conference is technical, and is not for the purpose of adopting conventions.