§ 32. Mr. Wardasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the implementation of the provisions of the Employment Agencies Act 1973.
§ Mr. GoldingThe Act came into force on 1st July 1976, as did regulations made under it which among other things deal with applications for licences, licence fees and the conduct of persons carrying on employment agencies and employment businesses (staff contractors). Section 1 is only partly operative until 1st November 1976 when it will be mandatory for persons carrying on such activities to either have a licence issued by the Secretary of State or to have applied for one. There are transitional arrangements for certain persons operating an employment agency under a current licence issued by a local authority. Applications for licences are now being received and considered by the regional offices and offices for Scotland and Wales of my Department.