Maintenance Orders Act, 1958

HC Deb 09 November 1960 vol 629 cc60-2W

Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions of employers who failed to notify the court of men in respect of whom attachment orders were in force leaving their employ have been undertaken since the coming into effect of the Maintenance Orders Act, 1958.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Maintenance Orders Act, 1958, so that the responsibilty of prosecuting an employer who fails to notify the court when a man, in respect of whom an attachment order is in force, leaves his employ be placed on a Government Department.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I am aware that there is some doubt as to who should prosecute in such cases. I do not think that it would be appropriate to place this responsibility on a Government Department, but I am having the question studied further.