HC Deb 18 February 1997 vol 290 cc481-2W
Mr. Hall

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will estimate the number of persons employed through private employment agencies for the last five years for which figures are available. [16240]

Mr. John M. Taylor

The labour force survey historical supplement published last year gives the following figures for those working through agencies on a temporary basis.

  • Spring 1992: 81,000
  • Spring 1993: 91,000
  • Spring 1994: 114,000
  • Spring 1995: 161,000
  • Spring 1996: 201,000

In addition, employment agencies find permanent fixed period contract, seasonal and other forms of employment for workers which are not included in the above figures.

Mr. Hall

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of employment agencies that were officially registered for each year that it was a statutory requirement to register. [16239]

Mr. Taylor

The licensing of employment agencies under the Employment Agencies Act 1973 commenced in June 1976. The number licensed at the end of each year ending 31 March until licensing ceased on 3 January 1995 is as follows:

  • 1976–77: 3,991
  • 1977–78: 5,336
  • 1978–79: 6,000
  • 1979–80: 6,760
  • 1980–81: 6,787
  • 1981–82: 6,579
  • 1982–83: 6,618
  • 1983–84: 7,019
  • 1984–85: 7,830
  • 1985–86: 9,000
  • 1986–87: 10,352
  • 1987–88: 11,769
  • 1988–89: 14,137
  • 1989–90: 16,537
  • 1990–91: 17,193
  • 1991–92: 15,644
  • 1992–93: 14,422
  • 1993–94: 14,808
  • 1994–95: 15,202

Mr. Hall

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will estimate the number of employment agencies operating in the United Kingdom for each year since deregulation. [16241]

Mr. Taylor

Agencies in Great Britain continue to be regulated under the provisions of the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and associated regulations. Similar arrangements apply in Northern Ireland. The licensing requirements were replaced by a power of prohibition on 3 January 1995. Since then there has been no requirement for employment agencies to notify either this Department, or the Department of Economic Development in Northern Ireland, of their existence or closure.