From the RP:
Racecourse catering students 'at risk of exploitation'
by Paul Eacott
YOUNG female catering students recruited for temporary work at big race meetings such as the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival are at risk of exploitation for sexual favours, according to claims made by the former chairman of Racecourse Holdings Trust in the House of Lords.
David James, who left his position in acrimonious circumstances in 2005 ten months before his contract ended, was speaking during a debate on the regulation of employment agencies.
Corporate troubleshooter Lord James of Blackheath, who was credited with rescuing the Millennium Dome from financial disaster, warned of the "moral hazard" young employees faced, claiming that "easy access" to alcohol and drugs at race meetings could lead to exploitation.
James, who was nominated for a life peerage by the Conservatives in 2006, urged stricter controls on the agencies.
He also spoke of "very primitive" dormitory accommodation for agency workers at Aintree and Cheltenham, events which were attended by hundreds of young men and women.
"There is easy access to alcohol and, I fear, easy access to drugs as well," he told peers.
"The risks of these young people being exposed to predatory and rather intoxicated young men is rather unattractive indeed," he warned. "There needs to be some better welfare. There ought to be some sort of 'mother hen' appointed to every dormitory."
James also criticised a government levy on the students' earnings, which he suggested might encourage the women to make up the difference in other ways.
"It is not the function of the government to promote prostitution," he stormed. "And this is a pimps' charter. This is a very serious 'moral hazard' issue, and I think it is wrong."
The Compass Group, owners of Letheby & Christopher, the firm responsible for the catering at a number of British racecourses including both Aintree and Cheltenham yesterday issued a statement to the Racing Post through Cheltenham racecourse in response to the accusations made by James.
It read: “Letheby & Christopher does not accommodate any agency staff in dormitory-style accommodation at Cheltenham racecourse.
“We do accommodate some catering students in youth hostels, who are always accompanied by a lecturer. Any complaint received from someone in our employment would be treated very seriously indeed.”
Racecourse catering students 'at risk of exploitation'
by Paul Eacott
YOUNG female catering students recruited for temporary work at big race meetings such as the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival are at risk of exploitation for sexual favours, according to claims made by the former chairman of Racecourse Holdings Trust in the House of Lords.
David James, who left his position in acrimonious circumstances in 2005 ten months before his contract ended, was speaking during a debate on the regulation of employment agencies.
Corporate troubleshooter Lord James of Blackheath, who was credited with rescuing the Millennium Dome from financial disaster, warned of the "moral hazard" young employees faced, claiming that "easy access" to alcohol and drugs at race meetings could lead to exploitation.
James, who was nominated for a life peerage by the Conservatives in 2006, urged stricter controls on the agencies.
He also spoke of "very primitive" dormitory accommodation for agency workers at Aintree and Cheltenham, events which were attended by hundreds of young men and women.
"There is easy access to alcohol and, I fear, easy access to drugs as well," he told peers.
"The risks of these young people being exposed to predatory and rather intoxicated young men is rather unattractive indeed," he warned. "There needs to be some better welfare. There ought to be some sort of 'mother hen' appointed to every dormitory."
James also criticised a government levy on the students' earnings, which he suggested might encourage the women to make up the difference in other ways.
"It is not the function of the government to promote prostitution," he stormed. "And this is a pimps' charter. This is a very serious 'moral hazard' issue, and I think it is wrong."
The Compass Group, owners of Letheby & Christopher, the firm responsible for the catering at a number of British racecourses including both Aintree and Cheltenham yesterday issued a statement to the Racing Post through Cheltenham racecourse in response to the accusations made by James.
It read: “Letheby & Christopher does not accommodate any agency staff in dormitory-style accommodation at Cheltenham racecourse.
“We do accommodate some catering students in youth hostels, who are always accompanied by a lecturer. Any complaint received from someone in our employment would be treated very seriously indeed.”