Major Hillsasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been attracted to the complaints as to advertisements by inefficient and undesirable registry offices and to their result in bringing many young girls to London in circumstances in which they are exposed to danger; and what steps he will take to deal with such offices?
§ Mr. LloydRepresentations were made recently that some employment agencies have been instrumental in placing in domestic service young girls not fitted for such employment and in positions which1650W are unsuitable, but inquiries made of a number of local authorities failed to reveal any appreciable volume of complaint in this regard. The publication in the advertisements of domestic servants registries of false or misleading statements is a matter with which local authorities can deal by by-law in pursuance of powers available to them under the general law. Further, a number of local authorities including the London County Council have obtained, by local Act, licensing powers in respect of employment agencies under which licences can be refused in cases of unsuitable persons or businesses improperly conducted.