§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the maltreatment of overseas domestic workers; and what measures he is taking in response to the recent cross-party delegation on this issue.
§ Mr. Charles WardleNone; but we consider representations carefully and keep the general arrangements for the overseas domestic workers scheme under review.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were granted entry clearance at posts abroad to come in to the United Kingdom as overseas domestic workers under the 1980 concession after 31 August 1993.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe information requested is not available.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received regarding overseas domestic workers in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Charles WardleIn the past year, my right hon. and learned Friend and I have received 22 letters from right hon. and hon. Members and noble Lords about the exceptional arrangements for the admission of domestic workers from overseas. I met a delegation led by my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington (Mr. Fishburn) and Lord Hylton. A number of letters have been received from organisations and members of the public.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overseas domestic workers have applied for a visa extension since August 1993; and how many of these applications have been granted.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe readily available data indicate that some 600 overseas domestic workers were granted further leave to remain in the second half of 1993.