INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION CONVENTIONS

HC Deb 30 March 1950 vol 473 cc539-40

7. Mr. John Hynd

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made by the Joint Committee of the Brussels Powers set up to study the implications and prospects of ratification of International Labour Organisation Conventions; and whether its work has resulted in any additional ratifications.

Mr. Isaacs

The results of this study were summarised in an article which appeared in the February issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette, of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. I understand that the Committee is proposing to give further consideration to this question at its autumn session.

Mr. Hynd

In giving further consideration to this matter, will the Minister bear in mind the desirability of making minor adjustments to the existing conventions, some of which were passed many years ago, in order to bring them up to date and make them more capable of ratification by countries who have surpassed these conditions in their own legislation?

Mr. Isaacs

It is not for me to give a decision. Whether it is a result of the meetings of the Committee or not, I can say that 11 conventions have been ratified by France since the Committee was established; three by Belgium, one by Luxembourg, and 10 by the United Kingdom.