HC Deb 24 February 1997 vol 291 cc5-6W
Mr. Hall

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the private employment agencies used by his Department and its agencies in each of the last three years for which figures are available, indicating(a) the names of the agencies, (b) the numbers employed by the agencies in work for his Department, (c) the total cost to his Department of using employment agencies and the median cost paid to the agency per person recruited and (d) the average length of contract for persons recruited via such agencies. [16179]

Sir Paul Beresford

In the last three years, my Department has used Addecco Alfred Marks, Manpower and Brook Street employment agencies to recruit temporary typists and secretaries. Since line managers have the delegation to appoint such staff, information on numbers, costs and length of employment is not held centrally and is not readily available.

The chief executives of the Department's agencies have been asked to write to the hon. Member about their own arrangements.

Letter from M. C. Buck to Mr. Mike Hall, dated 18 February 1997: I would refer to the above Parliamentary Question concerning the use of employment agencies. Please be advised of the following:-

  • (1) The names of the agencies
    • Alfred Marks (a division of Adia UK Ltd)
    • David Chorley Associates
    • Dunlop & Baddenoch Ltd
    • Reed Personnel Ltd.
    • Tobias Recruitment Ltd
    • The People Business Ltd
  • (2) The number employed by the agencies in work for the Department
    • Currently 1
  • (3) The total cost of using employment agencies
    • Year to 31 March 1994 £51,354/ For temporary staff
    • Year to 31 March 1995 £78,158
    • Year to 31 March 1996 £73,057
    • 10 months to 31 January 1997 £37,534 - also includes One permanent
  • (4) The median cost paid to the agency per person recruited
    • Year to 31 March 1994 nil
    • Year to 31 March 1995 nil
    • Year to 31 March 1996 nil
    • 10 months to 31 January 97 £2,484 (Cashier)
  • (5) The average length of contract for persons recruited via such agencies.
    • 1 Permanent
    • Temporary assignments average two to six months.

Letter form R. G. Courtney to Mr. Mike Hall, dated 18 February 1997: The Secretary of State for the Environment has asked me to reply on behalf of the Building Research Establishment Executive Agency to your question on the use of private employment agencies. The Building Research Establishment has not used any private employment agencies for the recruitment of staff within the last three years.

Letter from C. J. Shepley to Mr. Mike Hall, dated 18 February 1997: I have been asked by Sir Paul Beresford to reply to your question about the use made by the Planning Inspectorate of private employment agencies. We have not used private employment agencies to recruit staff on our behalf. We have, however, used agencies such as RAS and PA Consulting to advise us on recruitment methods.