TNAG-2367-FCO40-3440-British-Dependent-Territories-(British-Overseas-Territories)-1991 — Page 18

PART

PLOYM

VL

GROW

EMPLOYMENT

DEPARTMENT

Сс

Mr

Man's (FCO)

Department of Employment

Caxton House Tothill Street

London SW1H 9NF

Press Office (24 hrs) 071-273 6950 Public enquiries 071-273 6969 Exchange 071-273 3000

HKD 213/1 Mr Gillbert (Home Office)

RECEIVER

DESK

INDEX

213/1

3 0 AUG 1991

PA

SN

Paw on file 24/7

ملل

PRESS NOTICE

45)

226/91

24 July 1991

SPECIAL WORK PERMIT QUOTA FOR DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

The special quota of work permits for unskilled and semi-skilled workers from the Dependent Territories is being reduced for 1991

and will be phased out over four years, Michael Howard, Employment Secretary announced today.

This special quota enables a small number of workers whose level of skill is below that required by the general work permit scheme

to take up jobs in the UK.

In reply to a parliamentary question from John Ward (Poole), Mr

Howard said that it had been decided there should be a quota for 1991 of 170 permits for use by Dependent Territories, with a maximum of 125 for Hong Kong.

The Government has also taken the opportunity to review the

longer-term position of the Special Dependent Territories work permit quota. It has concluded that the quota is now anomalous and inconsistent with Britain's 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 the rules are

consistent.