§ 16. Mr. Dayasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider introducing legislation for the regulation of private employment agencies?
§ Sir J. SimonA number of local authorities have already obtained, by local Act, powers to deal with this matter and I am not aware of any necessity for the introduction of general legislation on the subject.
§ Mr. EdeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one effect of trying to deal with this matter by a local Act is that the more undesirable kind of private employment agencies simply move to the nearest convenient point outside the area of the local Act?
§ Sir J. SimonNo doubt that is theoretically possible, though I have not had that result actually brought to my attention, but this does appear to be a matter for the localities and not for general legislation.
§ Mr. DayHas the Minister's attention been drawn to the fact that many agencies which have been refused licences to operate in the London area have moved just outside that area?
§ Sir J. SimonNo, Sir.