HC Deb 23 January 1967 vol 739 cc181-4W
Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United Kingdom Government have yet ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention number 122, on Employment Policy; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay.

Mr. Fernyhough

I have been asked to reply. Yes.

Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United Kingdom Government has yet ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention number 120, on Hygiene in Commerce and Offices; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay.

Mr. Fernyhough

I have been asked to reply. I hope that we can ratify this Convention shortly, since the Offices and Shop Premises Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 has now been passed.

Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United Kingdom Government has yet ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention number 119, on the Guarding of Machinery; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay.

Mr. Fernyhough

I have been asked to reply. As indicated in Cmnd. 2548, our existing law while largely in conformity with the requirements of this Convention does not fully meet them. Appropriate amendments will be introduced at a suitable opportunity.

Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United Kingdom has yet ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention number 117, on Social Policy; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay.

Mr. Fernyhough

I have been asked to reply. No. This Convention was expressly designed for newly independent states. The question of ratification by the United Kingdom does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United Kingdom has yet ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention number 90, on the Night Work of Young Persons in Industry; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay.

Mr. Fernyhough

I have been asked to reply. I.L. Convention 90 has not been ratified because there are circumstances in which male young persons over 16 may be employed at night.

Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United Kingdom has yet ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention number 89, on the Night Work of Women; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay.

Mr. Fernyhough

I have been asked to reply. I.L. Convention 89 has not been ratified because there are circumstances in which women may be employed at night.

Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United Kingdom has yet ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention number 79, on the Night Work of Young Persons in Non-Industrial Occupations; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay.

Mr. Fernyhough

I have been asked to reply. The Government have not ratified I.L. Convention 79. This would require legislation and I have no evidence of any need to extend the existing legislative restrictions on the hours worked by children and young persons.

Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether the United Kingdom has yet ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention number 78, on the Medical Examination of Young Persons in Non-Industrial Occupations; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay;

(2) whether the United Kingdom has yet ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention number 77, on the Medical Examination of Young Persons in Industry; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay.

Mr. Fernyhough

I have been asked to reply.

It is not intended to ratify either Convention. They include provision for universal periodic medical examinations. Selective examination is now considered to be more effective and to make a better use of medical manpower.

Forward to