Orders of the Day — International Labour Conference (Conventions).

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 27 May 1921.

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Photo of Mr Arthur Henderson Mr Arthur Henderson , Widnes

The hon. Member could not have followed what I said, that 400 employers agreed to these recommendations in April, 1919—not so very long ago. The 400 employers knew what the position was then, and they unanimously recommended the present Government to pass a law establishing a 48-hour week. I am not quoting the 600 workmen's representatives. I am content to quote the fact that 400 employers agreed to make that recommendation. Now I am asking the Government whether we can be told what is the meaning of this phrase, "In existing circumstances," and I would like the attention of the Leader of the House on the point. I am very much concerned, because I happen to have the responsibility of acting as chairman for one side of that industrial conference and its committees. The Minister of Labour said that a great many conferences had been held and a vast amount of negotiations had taken place, and that is true. The reason is that my committee have been endeavouring, all this time since 1919, to get the Government to put into effect the promise they gave at the time of the second industrial conference. The one was called to initiate the conference, and the second was called to receive the report of the joint committee, with all the recommendations, and the Government undertook to give legislative effect to those recommendations. The recommendations were adopted in April, 1919, and no Hours Bill has yet been proceeded with. We were reminded that it was introduced; it was postponed until the Autumn Session, and it was withdrawn, and this year no attempt has been made to introduce the Bill again, and we are now asked to carry an Amendment which would be the justification for the Government not proceeding during the remainder of this Parliament, "in existing circumstances," with that Bill.