HC Deb 23 May 1960 vol 624 cc20-1
21. Mr. Prentice

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the recent discussion on the National Joint Advisory Council concerning the Government's decision not to ratify International Labour Convention No. 111 which relates to discrimination in employment; and whether the Government will now reconsider this decision in the light of recent events in South Africa and the importance of making it clear throughout the world that discrimination on the grounds of race or colour is rejected by this country.

Mr. Heath

The Government's reasons for not ratifying this Convention, as set out in the White Paper Cmnd. 783 published on 26th June, 1959, still apply. I am glad to have this opportunity of re-affirming that the Government are opposed to discrimination on grounds of race or colour. The recent discussion on the National Joint Advisory Council made it clear that both sides of industry endorse this view.

Mr. Prentice

Would not the Minister agree that it would make the view much more clear and remove any possibility of our attitude being misunderstood or misinterpreted if this country were to ratify the Convention which, after all, was concerned mainly with discrimination on grounds of race or colour? Are not the Government's reasons as set out in the White Paper rather finicky reasons for not making a clear declaration by ratifying the Convention at this point?

Mr. Heath

I cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman. We had a very long and fruitful discussion with the National Joint Advisory Council about it. If he looks again at the Convention, he will find that it was not only concerned with race and colour but also with sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction and social origin, and it also required legislation to implement this. We adhere to our view that the Government do not intervene by legislation in questions of terms and conditions of employment but that it is a matter for employers and employees.

Mr. Prentice

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that we are not concerned here with terms and conditions of employment in the detailed sense? We are concerned with the principle that there should not be discrimination in employment on grounds of race or colour and the other matters to which the right hon. Gentleman referred. Surely the Government could reaffirm that principle most clearly by ratifying the Convention?

Mr. Heath

I disagree, because if the hon. Gentleman sees the implications of equality for the sexes he will realise the difficulty. I have reaffirmed the principle of non-discrimination extremely clearly in my Answer. The National Joint Advisory Council wanted me to make it plain at the earliest opportunity.