asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the increasing productive power of the world market and the displacement of manual labour by machinery causing increasing volumes of unemployment, he will now initiate conversation with, and consideration by, industrial and other organisations, in order to secure a measure of protection for British producers by means of a general reduction of the hours of labour by legal enactment?

The International Labour Office has advised the Inter- national Labour Conference to defer discussion on the generalisation of the reduction of hours of work until the prospects of success are better. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend does not think any useful purpose would be served by adopting the hon. Member's suggestion which, as he understands it, is directed to obtaining international agreement for a general reduction of hours of labour in the various countries as a measure of protection for British producers.