§ Dr. Evan Harris:To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many spot check inspections on model agencies and photographic agencies were carried out by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate in each year since 1997; and how many prosecutions took place in each year. [129053]
§ Mr. Sutcliffe:The total number of inspections and prosecutions undertaken by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate since 1997 are as follows:
Inspections Prosecutions 1997–98 1,325 14 1998–99 1,360 3 1999–2000 1,319 3 2000–01 1,124 2 2001–02 854 8 2002–03 950 8 Data broken down by sector of the private recruitment industry are not available for these years.
§ Dr. Evan Harris:To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce regulation in the child model agency and child photography industry, with particular reference to a requirement for compulsory registration with the Criminal Records Bureau. [129054]
§ Mr. Sutcliffe:The Government have no plans to introduce a requirement for compulsory registration with the Criminal Records Bureau for the child model agency and child photography industry. However, a review of the legislation covering the private recruitment industry is currently under way and we propose to introduce revised regulations covering the conduct of all employment agencies and employment businesses.