TNAG-2367-FCO40-3440-British-Dependent-Territories-(British-Overseas-Territories)-1991 — Page 37

11 July 1991

AN PRO

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

File

36

RG Yates Esq

B2 Division

Immigration and Nationality Dept

Home Office

Lunar House

40 Wellesley Road CROYDON

CR9 2BY

HKD

213/1

London SWIA 2AH

Telephone: 071-

Dear Russch

DEPENDENT TERRITORIES WORK PERMIT QUOTA

33

Thank you for your letter of 27 June to Alan Paul. I have also seen Simon Norton's letter of 1 July.

1.

2.

Our Ministers are prepared to agree to the revised proposal for a 4 year phase out at the rate suggested in the annex to your letter, and that the review at the end of 1992 should not be announced.

3.

We are grateful for your willingness to consider how the needs of the St Helena islanders might be met after the passing of the work permit quota. We suggest that work should begin in good time before the review at the end of 1992 to explore what other arrangements might be worked out. My colleagues in South Atlantic and Antarctic Department will be in touch with you and Simon Norton about this.

4.

One logistic point. The Department of Employment will no doubt wish to press ahead with an early announcement in any case, but I understand that while this issue has been under consideration, a backlog of some 20 applications from St Helena has built up. Not only are UK employers keen that their prospective employees should travel as soon as possible, but the St Helena government is concerned that any further delays may prevent them from securing places for all those granted work permits in the first tranche on the next available sailing of the island's infrequent shipping service (on 22 July), the only means of leaving the island. If this

TELAGH TG