§ 15. Mr. Archerasked the Minister of Labour whether the United Kingdom has yet ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention number 62, on Safety Provisions in Buildings; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay.
§ Mr. FernyhoughNo. Our existing law, while largely in conformity with the requirements of this Convention, does not fully meet them.
§ Mr. ArcherIs my hon. Friend aware that this Convention has been on the book since 1937 and that 21 countries have found no difficulty in complying with it and ratifying it? Will he be more specific as to the difficulties?
§ Mr. FernyhoughThe points of difference between our existing law and the Convention have narrowed over the years as our legislation has been amended. The position now reached is that the outstanding points are now few and relate to differences in securing the same objective rather than to any failure on our part to legislate for protection against a particular hazard. It has always been the policy of British Governments not to ratify conventions until it has been possible to follow their requirements scrupulously.