§ Colonel VAUGHAN-MORGANasked the Minister of Labour which countries have ratified the Eight-Hours Convention; and in which countries where ratification has taken place is the present law of those countries in conformity with the Conventions?
§ Mr. SHAWBulgaria, Czechslovakia, Greece, India and Rumania have ratified the Eight-Hours Convention. In this connection, however, I would invite the hon. and gallant Member's attention to the very full statement given to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. E. Harvey) on 6th March. As regards the second part of the question, it may be assumed that, unless there is definite legislation containing provisions to the contrary, the law of a country which has formally deposited its ratification of a draft Convention is in, or will be brought into, accordance with the terms of that Convention without modification, subject always to the interpretation placed upon it by national law or administration. I cannot accept the responsibility of interpreting the laws of other countries.
§ Mr. RAINEasked the Minister of Labour whether the instructions of the Government to its representatives at Washington on the occasion of the discussion of the Eight-Hours Convention were to agree to a 48-hours week or to support an eight-hours day?
§ Mr. SHAWIt is not customary to make public the instructions that are given by the Cabinet to Government delegates at international conferences, and as at present advised I do not propose to depart from this rule in the present case. My hon. Friend is, of course, aware that the British Government delegates voted for the Convention.
§ Mr. T. SMITHasked the Minister of Labour whether the proposed Bill to limit the hours of work to 48 per week will apply to workers in the agricultural industry?
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§ Mr. SHAWThe Washington Hours Convention does not apply to agriculture and is not, therefore, proposed to include that industry within the scope of the Bill.
§ Mr. AYLESasked the Minister of Labour whether, when introducing his Bill for establishing the 48-hour week, he will see that cinema employés are included; and whether, in view of the exceptioNally bad conditions as to hours and pay under which these employés work, he will bring them within the operation of the Trade Boards Act?
§ Mr. SHAWThe Washington Hours Convention applies only to industrial undertakings and it is not proposed, therefore, to include cinema employés within the scope of the Bill. I am taking advice as to whether cinema employés are within the scope of the Trade Boards Acts.