§ 11. Mr. BRIANTasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the cases of fraudulent employment agencies; and if he intends to take any action to prevent their operations?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, Sir, my attention is called from time to time to such cases. Certain powers are already given to local authorities by the Public Health Act of 1907 in regard to registries for female domestic servants, and in particular to make by-laws for the prevention of fraud in the conduct of such registries. The matter is one therefore for the consideration of the local authorities in the first instance, and the proper course is for any complaints to be submitted to the local authority concerned. As most of us are aware, the whole subject is beset with difficulties; and I do not see what further the Government can usefully do in the matter.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs it not a fact that a number of these societies advertise in the big newspapers, and could not some action be taken to induce those newspapers not to publish their advertisements?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThat is very difficult, because I should have to decide at once whether they were or were not fraudulent.