§ 21. Miss Burtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement upon fee-charging employment agencies as a result of further consideration by the Government.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeIt is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce the necessary legislation to secure the ratification of the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 96 but I regret that there is no prospect of the introduction of this Measure during the present Session.
§ Miss BurtonIs the Minister aware that this matter, which concerns Coventry, was transferred to him from the 606 Minister of Labour? Is he aware that the trade unions are very concerned, and that they feel that agencies in Coventry have prior knowledge about jobs becoming vacant? Is he aware that we are told that these agencies charge not only a registration fee but a proportion of the first week's wages when a job is obtained? In view of the position in Coventry, could the right hon. and gallant Gentleman look at the matter, without waiting for the I.L.O.?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI am having consultations with the local authority associations and as soon as they are completed I will have consultations with the trade unions as well.
Mr. LeeWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman join with the Minister of Labour in advertising the much better service that can be obtained from the employment exchanges than through these fee-charging agencies, and the fact that there is a far greater possibility of the trade unions and employers using the exchanges rather than those agencies?