HC Deb 20 December 1956 vol 562 cc1433-4
10. Miss Burton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the unemployment position in Coventry and the urgency affecting notification of vacancies, he will make an interim statement upon fee-charging employment agencies and their position in such an emergency.

Major Lloyd-George

The legislation to which I referred in my Answer to the hon. Member on 13th December would regulate the conduct of fee-charging employment agencies, and would not in any way affect the notification of vacancies by employers to employment exchanges. If the hon. Member is suggesting that all vacancies should be notified to the employment exchanges, I can only refer her to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to her Question on 23rd October.

Miss Burton

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I have followed this matter week by week because of the events in Coventry, and would he not agree that it is intolerable when people are out of work that agencies should take advantage of their misfortune? Is he aware that agencies in Coventry charge not only a registration fee but take half of the first week's money as well, and is there nothing he can do under the present position?

Major Lloyd-George

As I think I told the hon. Lady before, it will need legislation which I will bring in as soon as Parliamentary time permits. As to the other part of the Question, I can only refer her to what my right hon. Friend said in answer to her Question on 23rd October with regard to the Notification of Vacancies Order.

Mr. Lindgren

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consult the Minister of Labour because much of this trouble has arisen from the fact that, owing to the Government's economies, Ministry of Labour officials are now having to concentrate on the payment of benefits rather than on placings? If the Ministry of Labour are so concentrating on the payment of benefits in areas where unemployment has arisen that they cannot deal with placings, then the agencies are it greater attraction than they would otherwise be.

Major Lloyd-George

I will consult my right hon. Friend.