§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people of non-British nationality started work for the first time in Great Britain for each of the years 1973, 1974, 1975 and so far for 1976.
715W
§ Mr. John GrantStatistics are not available in the precise form requested. However, the numbers of work permits issued—in respect of workers overseas—together with permissions given—in respect of workers already here—for the years in question were as follows:
Year Number 1973 32,839 1974 33,045 1975 30,078 1976 (January-September) 17,763 In general, work permits, or permissions, are needed in respect of foreign workers—except nationals of other member States of the European Economic Community—and of Commonwealth workers not having the right of abode. They are needed in respect of self-employed people, student and pupil nurses, Commonwealth working holidaymakers, the people in the permit-free categories listed in the immigration rules—House of Commons Papers 79 and 81 of 1972–73—and Commonwealth citizens of United Kingdom ancestry.
Work permits, or permissions, are needed for student employees—foreign—and Commonwealth trainees, but these people are expected to return at the end of their training and have consequently not been included in the above figures.
Analyses of the figures for the complete years above are given in the Department of Employment Gazette for May 1974, April 1975 and May 1976.