§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received about the need to regulate the private security industry; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what consideration he has given to the introduction of a statutory licensing system for the private security industry;
(3) what consideration he has given to the introduction of compulsory self-regulation for the private security industry;
(4) what views have been expressed to him by the private security industry about regulation.
§ Mr. John PattenFollowing the receipt of a number of representations to my right hon. Friend expressing concern at the lack of regulation of the private security industry, a working group was set up in 1989 which later that year produced a report recommending ways in which the regulation of the industry could be improved.
We subsequently considered a range of options for improving the regulation of the private security industry which goes wider than those considered by the working group. We will make a statement in due course covering all the relevant issues.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the number of private security firms operating in England and Wales which are not members of the British Security Industry Association.
§ Mr. John PattenSuch information is not held centrally.