§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to visit St. Helena; and if he will make a statement concerning the changes envisaged in the procedures adopted for St. Helenians visiting and working in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans to visit St. Helena. Officials from the FCO, Home Office' and Department of Employment are discussing the work permit question with a view to establishing how best the Government can meet the employment aspirations of the St. Helenians wishing to come to the United Kingdom following the decision to phase out by 1995 the dependent territories work permit quota scheme to which St. Helenians had access.
The Government are looking in particular at how St. Helenians might benefit from the training and work experience scheme administered by the Department of Employment.