§ 12. Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Government intend to introduce legislation to regulate the activities of private employment agencies and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithMy right hon. Friend is still having preliminary consultations with a number of bodies connected with the industry to determine whether there is any need to introduce legislation. It would be premature for me to make any further statement at this stage.
§ Mr. StrangIs the hon. Gentleman aware that since I introduced a Bill to abolish private employment agencies I have been inundated with examples of abuses, from both employees and employers? Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that if the Government introduce legislation at least to control and restrict their activities they will take their decision in time to have the legislation incorporated in the Industrial Training Bill?
§ Mr. SmithI cannot give undertakings about proposed legislation, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that we have circulated an important document to interested parties putting forward ideas about possible amendments to existing legislation. We have not yet received replies from all those bodies, and it is important that we should have full consultation all the way round before reaching a decision.
§ Mr. John PageIs my hon. Friend aware that the Employment Agents Federation of Great Britain is anxious that there should be sensible regulations, possibly on the lines of those existing in London now? Will my hon. Friend have consultations with that organization 811 to see whether it would be possible to include such regulations in the Bill that will be presented later on?
§ Mr. SmithWe are considering the latter point raised by my hon. Friend, and I confirm that we are having consultations with the organisation referred to. Some of its views are very valuable, as are those of the local authority bodies. My hon. Friend knows that a number of local authorities have registration provisions.