Clause 3 - Administration and enforcement
Gangmasters (Licensing) Bill
3:45 pm
Mr Mark Simmonds (Boston and Skegness, Conservative)
I shall not go into great detail about the establishment of the gangmaster licensing authority, except to note, first, that it will be separate from DEFRA—it would be useful if the Minister explained why it was concluded that it should be separate from rather than an extension of a Department—and, secondly, that the authority will not be responsible for enforcement of the legislation. I understand that the Secretary of State will have powers to appoint enforcement officers from other Government bodies and agencies.
I know that we are engaged in constructive debate today, and I do not want to be critical of past events, but I am deeply concerned about Operation Gangmaster and the lack of co-ordination between Departments in attempts to stop the exploitation of vulnerable workers, both legal and illegal. To date, those attempts have not been successful, and I want to ensure that the gangmaster licensing authority and whatever body is responsible for the enforcement of the licensing and regulation scheme will work together extremely closely, and that there will be sufficient resources to enforce the measures that are to be on the statute book.
New clause 8 deals with the power of the authority to make rules. I should like the Minister to clarify why the word ''rules'' is used, rather than ''conditions''.
What, if any, is the difference between the two? It might be my suspicious nature that makes me ask.