HC Deb 10 April 1967 vol 744 c720
19. Mr. John Page

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate he made of the cost of administering the Employment Agencies Bill when drafting the Financial Resolution based on the numbers of inspectors and other staff and on the administrative regional offices required and taking into account the licence fee for an employment agency.

Mr. Fernyhough

It was estimated, on the assumption that there are between 3,000 and 4,000 agencies, that the annual cost of licensing and inspection would be in the region of £35,000. It is intended to recover this cost from licence fees. In addition, there will be the cost of other staff employed mainly on regulation-making work estimated at £13,000 for the first few years.

Mr. Page

While the House will be glad to hear that very modest figure, which is very surprising considering the wide powers which are sought under the Bill being discussed now, may I ask whether the hon. Member is aware that it is the opinion of my right hon. and hon. Friends and many others that the cost will be much greater than that which the hon. Gentleman has given this afternoon?

Mr. Fernyhough

I was pleased to have the best wishes of the hon. Gentleman in the first part of his supplementary question. Only time will tell whether the assumptions on which he and his right hon. and hon. Friends are making their guesses are better than the calculations which we have made.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Is my hon. Friend aware that the opinion of the hon. Gentleman and his right hon. and hon. Friends is not of much value? Is he aware, further, that they said in 1954 that they would bring in a Bill like this but, as usual, did nothing about it?

Mr. Fernyhough

At least my hon. Friend has remedied that position.