§ Mr. HAYESasked the Minister of Labour the reasons for the non-ratification of the International Convention of 1920 on the employment of seamen; and whether it is proposed to ratify the Convention?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe reasons for the non-ratification of this convention were given by the then Minister of Labour (Dr. Macnamara) in the House of Commons on 8th November, 1921, in a Debate, to which I would refer the hon. Member. The main reason was that shipowners and seamen in this country are at present1620W working together in this matter, joint employment facilities having been established, and the expenses being jointly borne by employers and seamen's associations, but that the system is not yet so fully developed as to provide complete compliance with the terms of the convention.