HKD 213,
RECELER
40210/1
30 AUG 1991
DESK DE
INDEX
47
P/W JTWP Q
work permet quota
Yot
Hansard
Works Permits
Mr. Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether a decision has yet been made on a special annual quota for 1991 of work permits for workers from the dependent territories.
Mr. Howard: It has been decided that there should be a quota for 1991 of 170 permits for use by dependent territories, with a maximum of 125 for Hong Kong.
We have also taken the opportunity to review the longer-term position of the special dependent territories work permit quota. Our conclusion is that it is now anomalous and inconsistent with our immigration control, in that it grants permits for jobs with skill levels below those required under the general work permit scheme. With increasing pressures on immigration worldwide, it is important that our rules are consistent.
The quota scheme was never intended to continue indefinitely and has now served its purpose. Accordingly, the Government have decided that the quota should end. However, in order that dependent territories should have time to adjust to this, the quota will be phased out gradually as set out in the table.
Citizens from dependent territories will still be covered by the work permit scheme, which allows non-EC nationals to be employed here if they have high-level skills that are in short supply, are participating in an intra-company move or meet other important labour
621
Written Answers
24 JULY 1991
market needs. They will also be eligible for consideration for permits under my Department's training and work experience scheme.
Dependent territories special work permit quota: phasing out over
four years beginning 1991
Total Maximum for
Others
Hong Kong
1991
170
$125
45
1992
140
100
40.
1993
110
75
35
1994
80
50
30
1995
Nil
... Nil
Nil