Private Security Industry

HC Deb 02 July 2001 vol 371 c57W

Mr. Gordon Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to begin the registration of private security industry staff as outlined in the Private Security Act 2001. [618]

Mr. Denham

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 provides for the establishment of a Security Industry Authority which will have responsibility for licensing individuals employed in designated sectors of the security industry; and approving companies.

We aim to establish the authority as soon as possible. Once established, the authority will draw up its licensing criteria and institute a rolling programme of licensing. The relevant provisions of the Act will come into force by means of commencement orders when the authority is ready to begin its licensing operations.