§ Mr. Ogdenasked the Minister of Labour whether the United Kingdom was represented at the Second Asian Maritime Conference of the International Labour Organisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GunterYes. The Second Asian Maritime Conference of the International Labour Organisation was held in Tokyo in April. The United Kingdom, in view of our world-wide shipping interests, sent244W a delegation comprising representatives of the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Labour and the shipowners' and seafarers' organisations.
Among the subjects discussed were vocational training; wages, hours of work and manning; social security; welfare; medical facilities; methods of recruitment of Asian seafarers; and recognition of Asian seafarers' organisations. In all these matters useful progress was made and I understand that valuable contributions were made by members of the United Kingdom delegation.