asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the response of his Department to the representation of the hon. Member for Walsall, South on the need to licence the private security industry.

I am aware of the careful study which my hon. Friend has made of this subject, and of the proposals which he has put forward. To facilitate wider discussion I intend to publish a paper setting out the information which is available, the arguments submitted by my hon. Friend and others, and the important issues which are raised by proposals for control over private security activities.