HC Deb 01 February 1980 vol 977 cc801-2W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the policy of his Department regarding the issue of work permits to overseas graduates from British universities and polytechnics wishing to stay in Great Britain temporarily to complete professional training; and whether there has been any change in policy, or in the administration of the policy, since 3 May.

Mr. Mayhew

It is the long-standing policy of my Department to issue permits for overseas graduates from British universities or polytechnics to enter training or employment in order to complete their professional training, subject to the conditions of the appropriate training scheme being satisfied.

Until 31 December 1979, approval was given under the Commonwealth training scheme or, for foreign nationals, the student employment scheme. On 1 January 1980, these schemes were merged to become the training and work experience scheme available to foreign and Commonwealth citizens alike. The new scheme does not represent any change of policy but has been introduced to ensure consistency and equitable treatment for all trainees irrespective of nationality.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many work permits were issued to overseas students who entered into training contracts for each of the years 1977,1978 and 1979 who sought extensions in the United Kingdom to fulfil the practical qualifications for a chartered institute for which they already had the necessary academic qualifications, indicating in each case the chartered or professional organisation for which the work permit was issued, either to fulfil a training contract or otherwise; and what is the expected number of similar work permits expected to be issued in 1980.

Mr. Mayhew

Individual statistics are not kept by my Department of the number of permits issued for overseas students who enter training contracts. This information could not be obtained without disproportionate cost. As permits are issued in response to individual applications it is not possible to estimate the number which may be issued in 1980.