HC Deb 23 March 1939 vol 345 cc1434-5
9. Mr. James Hall

asked the Minister of Labour what draft International Labour Conventions were approved by the Mexican Government in October and December last; and how many of these Conventions have also been ratified by Great Britain?

Mr. E. Brown

I understand that Presidential Decrees were published in the Diario Oficial in Mexico City in October and December of last year approving six Conventions, of which I will circulate a list in the OFFICIAL REPORT. His Majesty's Government have ratified one of these Conventions (No. 7) and have announced their intention to ratify another (No. 56).

Mr. Hall

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the record of the Government with regard to the ratification of these Conventions? Does he not think there is a tendency to lag behind certain foreign countries?

Mr. Brown

I think nothing of the kind. Indeed, as was shown by the last list produced by the International Labour Office, His Majesty's Government have a very fine record in this matter.

Following is the list:

Convention (No. 7) fixing the minimum age for admission of children to employment at sea (1920).

Convention (No. 9) for establishing facilities for finding employment for seamen (1920).

Convention (No. 46) limiting hours of work in coal mines (revised, 1935).

Convention (No. 53) concerning the minimum requirement of professional capacity for masters and officers on board merchant ships.

Convention (No. 55) concerning the liability of the shipowner in case of sickness, injury or death of seamen.

Convention (No. 56) concerning sickness insurance for seamen.