HC Deb 04 March 1897 vol 46 c1600
MR. S. WOODS (Essex, Walthamstow)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the recent disclosures made in the Maryle-bone Police Court with respect to servants' homes and agencies, in the case of Curtis-Bennett, with a view of remedying and rendering the repetition of such cases impossible; and whether he will consider the advisability of licensing all servants' agencies and homes so as to bring them under the control of the police.

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

I have seen the report of a case recently brought before Mr. Curtis - Bennett, which is, no doubt, the one referred to in the Question. The police occasionally receive complaints against houses of this kind, and I will ask the Commissioner to make further inquiry. On the information before me at present, however, I have no reason to suppose that a system of licensing is desirable.