§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the effect in 1978's work permit figures if the proposed changes in the work permit arrangements had been in operation at that time.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply. 5 December 1979, c. 250]: It is not possible to make such an estimate from the available figures. The introduction of the new skills criteria will change the pattern of work permit issues but individual judgments will still have to be made as to the requirements of jobs and the qualifications of overseas workers and these cannot be made retrospectively