§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment his Department has made concerning(a) the potential impact of proposals for the regulation of the private recruitment industry on job seekers over the age of 50 years and (b) the potential effects of restrictions of the charging by recruitment agencies of fees; and if he will make a statement; [99667]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the effect of his proposals on the regulation of the private recruitment industry on the ability of hirers to fill vacancies in a timely fashion; [99668]
(3) what plans his Department has to establish a code of practice for the private recruitment industry as an alternative to regulation. [99669]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonExcept in respect of a few provisions specifically to protect those under 18 the proposals seek to protect the interests of those using bureaux equally, regardless of age. The effect of the proposals to restrict fee charging to hirers in certain circumstances are assessed in the Regulatory Impact Assessment in the consultation document. Changes to the controls on fee charging to workseekers are set out in Annex 1 of the document. The proposals seek to ensure both that bureaux are able to respond to hirers' requirements promptly and that neither hirers, workers nor third parties are put at risk as a consequence of bureaux not doing necessary checks to establish the suitability of those they are supplying. Careful consideration is being given to all the representations received. I have no plans to establish a code of practice. The reasons why this approach is not considered practicable are set out in chapter 4 of the consultation document.