asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that many persons who have been granted licences by the London County Council for the purpose of running employment agencies, and have subsequently had such licences cancelled by this body on account of the breach of their regulations through improper practices and other causes, have imme- diately re-started this business outside the area under the control of the London County Council; and will he take steps to introduce the necessary legislation which shall apply generally to the licensing of employment agencies throughout Great Britain?

I understand there have been a certain number of such cases. I am already considering a proposal which was recently placed before me by the Trades Union Congress that powers for licensing theatrical agencies should be extended throughout the country: but the suggestion that powers should be given for licensing all employment agencies is a much bigger question. I think it had better wait until the narrower question has been dealt with. Provision for the registration of female domestic servants' agencies is already made in the Public Health Act, 1907.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that until licences for theatrical agencies are made general, there will be no protection for girls who are liable to be engaged by bogus managers throughout the country?

I have already said that in this matter the General Council of the Trade Union Congress approached me only a fortnight ago, and I am already considering whether I cannot introduce legislation for the purpose.