§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether work permit applications by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Ltd. on behalf of two Argentinian footballers have been approved.
§ Mr. John GrantFollowing consultations with the organisations concerned, I have approved the issue of work permits for these players. Other similar out-standing applications for work permits on behalf of overseas footballers are being processed in the usual way under the arrangements of the work permit scheme.
The general circumstances surrounding the applications, together with the course of the consultations, have led me to conclude, however, that urgent discussions 93W are necessary between officials of my Department and of the Football Association, Football League and the Professional Footballers Association about the issue of work permits in respect of overseas players. I have accordingly written to the organisations concerned to invite them to participate in such discussions, and until these have taken place no further permits will be issued for the employment of overseas footballers.