CAB129-45 — Page 548

Pawrion, doua red - Printed for the Cabinet. May 1951

CONFIDENTIAL

C.P. (51) 146

28th May, 1951

CABINET

Page 548

414

31

Copy No.-

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTION (No. 96) CONCERNING FEE-CHARGING EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES (REVISED 1949)

MEMORANDUM BY THE MINISTER OF LABOUR AND NATIONAL SERVICE -

I desire to obtain the decision of my colleagues on the action to be taken with regard to the ratification of Convention No. 96 concerning Fee-Charging Employ- ment Agencies, which was adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 32nd Session in 1949. This Convention provides for either

(a) the abolition of fee-charging employment agencies conducted for profit and

the regulation of other fee-charging employment agencies, or

(b) the regulation of all fee-charging employment agencies.

States ratifying the Convention may adopt either of these alternatives. In the United Kingdom the adoption of either alternative will necessitate legislation.

2. The alternative of the regulation of all fee-charging employment agencies (1 (b) above) was introduced into the Convention by the International Labour Conference largely owing to the support given by the United Kingdom delegation on the instructions of Ministers. This was in accordance with the decision of the Lord President's Committee (L.P. (49), 1st Meeting, Minute 2). I accordingly recommend that we should decide to ratify the Convention on this basis. Provision for the inclusion of a Bill for the purpose of regulating fee-charging employment agencies was made in the programme of legislative measures for the next Session, which was submitted to the Cabinet in C.P. (51) 125 and approved by it. I ask that authority should now be given for the preparation of the Bill.

3. The Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland, who will be responsible for the legislation in Parliament, concur in these proposals.

4. Corresponding legislation will be required in Northern Ireland, and it is understood that the Government of Northern Ireland will be prepared to introduce such legislation, if we do so.

5. The following Annexes are attached:-

I. The provisions of the Convention relating to the regulation of fee-

charging employment agencies (i.e., Part III of the Convention).

II. An outline of the method of regulation proposed to be adopted. III.-Notes of the provisions to be included in the proposed legislation.

Ministry of Labour and National Service, S.W. 1,

28th May, 1951.

A. R.

40643e 548 of 587

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