HC Deb 27 July 1972 vol 841 cc2029-30
3. Mr. Loveridge

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in his consideration of whether to set up a central licensing authority to register and regulate the work of private detectives in this country.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Robert Carr)

None, Sir, although I am of course aware of public comment.

Mr. Loveridge

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Younger Report on privacy estimates that 3,000 people are engaged in private detective work and that, while most of them are no doubt reputable, the fact that criminals can enter the business and impose on the innocent is a danger? Will my right hon. Friend therefore take steps to regulate the work?

Mr. Carr

I want to consider carefully this and the other recommendations in the Younger Report but I assure my hon. Friend that I shall consider this particular recommendation very carefully indeed. It would be idle to deny that there are difficulties about it and this is what I shall need to look into.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

Is it not a matter of great public concern that people who have criminal records can set up as private detectives? I know that the Home Secretary is concerned about this matter but will he look at it as a matter of urgency?

Mr. Carr

Of course I shall. As I think I have indicated, I realise that this is a matter about which there is much concern. I shall seriously look at the matter with care in the context of the Younger Report.