HC Deb 11 February 2004 vol 417 cc1475-6W
Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employment agencies have(a) been (i) prosecuted and (ii) fined for offences relating to the exploitation of migrant workers under the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and (b) had allegations against them regarding the exploitation of migrant workers investigated by her Department's Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate in each of the last five years; how many persons have been banned from being associated with operating an employment agency or employment business after being prosecuted in relation to the exploitation of migrant workers in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [153008]

Mr. Sutcliffe

In the last five years the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate has prosecuted 24 employment agencies and prohibited 7 individuals from operating as employment agencies or employment business.

The Inspectorate has also undertaken 5,607 investigations during the last five years.

The records do not specify whether the work-seekers involved were migrant workers.