HC Deb 07 March 1957 vol 566 cc507-9
3. Mr. Ede

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the legislation promised in Command Paper No. 8286, of July, 1951, a necessary preliminary to the ratification of the Inter- national Labour Organisation Convention No. 96, has not been introduced by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement of the Government's intentions on this subject.

6 and 8. Miss Burton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will introduce legislation making available to other local authorities controlling powers similar to those exercised by the London County Council in so far as private employment agencies are concerned;

(2) whether he has now completed his consultations with the local authority associations and with the trades unions concerning the ratification of the International Labour Organisation's Convention No. 96.

Mr. Simon

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply to the Question by the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Miss Burton) on 13th December. Consultations with the Trades Union Congress and other interested organisations about the form the legislation might take have commenced, but it will be some time before they are completed.

Mr. Ede

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us when they were commenced, because a promise was made six years ago?

Mr. Simon

Discussions with the local authorities started some time ago. I cannot give the exact date. The first round of consultations with the local authorities is now completed, although it will probably be necessary to discuss the matter with them again. My right hon. Friend wrote to the Trades Union Congress on 11th February.

Miss Burton

With regard to Question No. 6, may I ask the Joint Under-Secretary whether it would be in order for a local authority to introduce its own legislation on such matters by means of a Private Bill? Is there no means of hurrying up these matters, and is the Joint Under-Secretary of State aware that in Coventry there is grave dissatisfaction about these fee-charging agencies? Could not we find Parliamentary time to discuss this matter before the end of the Session?

Mr. Simon

I am aware of the interest taken by the hon. Lady in this matter. As she probably knows, the London County Council already has legislation dealing with the matter within its jurisdiction. But the legislation which the Government have in mind will probably go beyond the powers contained in the London County Council legislation. It would be desirable to have proper consultation with parties as interested as the Trades Union Congress and the local authorities.

Mr. Ede

The hon. and learned Gentleman said that the "first round" with the local authorities had been completed. Is this a 15-round contest?

Miss Burton

The hon. and learned Gentleman has told me what I have told him in my Question—I knew that already. Will he tell me whether it would be in order for local authorities to obtain such powers by means of a Private Bill if they wished to do so?

Mr. Simon

I should be grateful if the hon. Lady would put down a Question on that matter to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government.