§ 17. Mr. Leslieasked the Minister of Labour what are the intentions of the Government with regard to the ratification of the Convention for the maintenance of pension rights?
§ Mr. E. BrownI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Leeds (Mr. V. Adams) on 21st July of this year.
§ 18. Mr. Leslieasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that 11 States have ratified the Weekly Rest in Industries Convention without any general limitation of their weekly working hours, he will now consider ratifying this Convention before a decision has been reached on weekly hours of work?
§ Mr. BrownNo, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Leeds (Mr. V. Adams) on 21st July of this year.
§ Mr. LeslieIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 31 States including the United States have ratified the Convention since 1921? Why should we lag behind?
§ Mr. BrownThe answer was given. If the hon. Member will look at the matter he will see that conditions in the United States in regard to collective agreements between trade unions and employers are entirely different from ours. I do not think that the hon. Member would say that the position in the United States is anything like comparable with ours. It is because of the conflict between many agreements in this country and the terms of the Convention that we have not ratified it.
§ Mr. ManderHas the right hon. Gentleman considered taking the advice of the Government's chief Diplomatic Adviser—if he is not required elsewhere?