§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether fewer work permits were issued in 1977 than in previous years.
§ Mr. John GrantYes. The number of work permits issued for workers overseas and permission given to those already in this country has been falling significantly in recent years.
639WIn 1977 the number was 18,414, which is a reduction of 19 per cent. on the 1976 figure of 22,620 and a reduction of 44 per cent. on the 1974 figure of 33,045.
The Department of Employment Gazette for this month which will be published tomorrow gives these figures, together with a number of analyses of the permits issued in 1977, for example, by industrial and occupational groups.