To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reason the United Kingdom has not ratified Convention 138, on the minimum age of child labour, of the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organisation. [40372]

The Government fully support the principles embodied in the Convention and are currently reviewing the United Kingdom position with regard to ratification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons the United Kingdom has not ratified Convention 111, on discrimination on grounds of race, sex, religion, social origin and political opinion, of the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organisation. [40373]

Although the Government have not yet ratified this Convention we are strongly committed to the principles contained in it. Therefore we are currently reviewing the position towards ratification.