§ 22. Mr. Bennasked the Minister of Labour how the United Kingdom delegate voted on the Convention and recommendations concerning the protection and integration of indigenous and other tribal and semi-tribal populations in independent countries at the General Conference of the International Labour Organisation.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe United Kingdom Government delegates abstained on both the Convention and the recommendation to which the hon. Member refers.
§ Mr. BennIs it not a rather regrettable position, in view of the fact that this Convention covered provisions for land, recruitment and conditions of labour for indigenous and tribal people, education and administrative questions, and that the French and Belgian Governments, and even General Franco's Government, supported the Convention? Is there really any justification for the British Government delegates abstaining?
§ Mr. MacleodYes, I think there is. Part of the answer is given by the hon. Member himself, because other Governments—for example, Canada and 374 Australia—which are more concerned with this Convention and recommendation, also abstained, as did a great number of countries. Although we were in sympathy, as we made clear, with the object of both the Convention and the recommendation, we thought that it went too wide and was inappropriate because it included, for example, matters relating to land, education and public health within the scope of an I.L.O. convention.