HC Deb 06 February 1958 vol 581 c1338
22. Miss Burton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now completed his consultations with the local authority associations and with the trades unions concerning the ratification of the International Labour Organisation's Convention No. 96.

Mr. Renton

Consultations with the locau authority associations, the Trades Union Congress and other interested organisations are still proceeding.

Miss Burton

is the hon. and learned Member aware that they were "proceeding" according to a previous Answer given to me on 13th December, 1956? Is he aware that there is strong feeling in the country that these charging agencies conducted at a profit should be abolished? Is it still the Government's intention to ratify this Convention eventually?

Mr. Renton

I am afraid that there is no question of legislation in the present Session, but we are pressing on with this matter. It is quite a complicated matter and, as I have said, consultations with interested bodies are still proceeding.

Mr. Ede

But these consultations have been going on for seven years. Is it not possible to bring them to a conclusion in the not-distant future?

Mr. Renton

I am not in a position at the moment to add to what I have already said.