§ 22. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on his future intentions on private employment agencies, following the representations he has received from the TUC.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerAs I informed the House on 23rd January, my right hon. Friend intends to implement the Employment Agencies Act 1973 but proposes to strengthen it by transferring responsibility for licensing and enforcement to himself. We have it in mind to discuss with the Manpower Services Commission the possibility of its undertaking a study in this field. In the light of the results of such a study and of the experience of the Department in operating the Act, we would be able to review the whole situation.
§ Mr. HuckfieldIs my hon. Friend aware that many of us on this side of the House feel that merely tightening up and issuing a few more regulations for the control of private employment agencies does not go half far enough? Is he aware that many of us will be happy only when services of this kind are provided only by the Employment Services Agency? Will he reaffirm that it is still his Department's ultimate intention to ensure that this comes about?
§ Mr. WalkerCertainly we recognise the desirability and the need to strengthen the Employment Services Agency so that it provides a more effective service. I should tell my hon. Friend, however, that this is a much more complex subject than often appears on the surface. I hoped that my reference to a review would have made quite clear that we have by no means ruled out consideration of the eventual abolition of fee-charging placement agencies.