HC Deb 27 November 2002 vol 395 cc295-6W
Mr. Brian Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent discussions she has had with (a) employment agencies and (b) trade unions regarding the impact of the proposed Directive on Temporary Agency Work; [82948]

(2) what research her Department has carried out on (a) the number of agency workers as a percentage of the population and (b) the impact of the proposed EU Directive on Temporary Agency Work in (i) the UK and (ii) other European countries. [82949]

Alan Johnson

The DTI commissioned a survey of employment agencies which was conducted by the Bostock Marketing Group (BMG) in 1999. This reported an estimate for the number of temporary agency workers in the UK.

The DTI produced a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) in 2002 which estimate the impact of the proposed EU Directive on Temporary Agency Work. Copies of the RIA are in the Libraries of the House.

The strategy, including baseline indicators, is being developed in consultation with the Equality Commission and voluntary and community sector groups.