§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Employment what action would be necessary to provide equal opportunities for women in employment and equal pay, to enable the United Kingdom to conform with the requirements of the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 111; and how soon he expects ratification of the convention by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. Paul BryanBefore ratifying Convention 111 we shall need to resolve doubts whether certain practices constitute discrimination on grounds of sex or of national origin. Examples of these are limitations on the employment of women in the industrial civil service in what the trade unions regard as traditionally men's work and the nationality and residence rules for certain Government posts. We shall also need to discuss with employers and workers organisations what further action is needed and what help they can give to promote acceptable and observance of a policy of equal opportunity and treatment. The position on equal pay does not constitute an obstacle to ratification. I regret that I cannot estimate the time needed to complete these steps.