§ Mr. Leslieasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, before permitting private employment agencies to function after the war, he will see that extortionate fees are not charged and that applicants are not sent to blind-alley jobs for short periods, so having to pay constantly recurring fees.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIn places where there are by-laws for the control of employment agencies, the requirement in these by-laws that there shall be posted in the agency a statement giving full particulars of the fees or charges provides some check on extortionate fees; and there is also a provision in such by-laws making it an offence to "deceive or attempt to deceive any person in regard to any servant or any situation." Moreover, in London and in a number of other places there are provisions in local Acts requiring employment agencies to be licensed, and enabling the local authority to refuse or cancel a licence if the person conducting the agency is unsuitable or if the agency is being improperly conducted. The suggestion underlying my hon. Friend's Question that the existing law requires strengthening has been noted.