12 and 13. Miss RATHBONEasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware of the hardship suffered by clerical workers, especially women, in being obliged to pay booking and placing fees before being able to secure employment; and whether he will take steps to ensure that unemployed persons are freed from this toll;
(2) whether he is aware that in London alone there are nearly 1,000 private employment agencies existing on the needs of the unemployed; and whether he will give further consideration to the question of ratification of the Fee-charging Agency Convention?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 27th July to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker). As the hon. Member is aware, it is open to clerical and other workers to make use of the facilities for obtaining employment afforded by the Employment Exchanges, which charge no fees to employers or workers.