§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many persons were admitted to the United Kingdom as domestic servants in the household of persons admitted in any other capacity except as diplomats in 1982, and whether these persons are admitted on a discretionary basis outside the rules.
§ Lord EltonI regret that the information requested in the first part of the Question is not available.
There is no specific provision in the Immigration Rules for the admission of domestic servants without work permits other than those coming to work for members of the staff of diplomatic or consular missions. Work permits are no longer issued by the Department of Employment for domestic employment.
A domestic servant is normally allowed to accompany an employer who is making a limited visit to the United Kingdom, but not an employer who is coming to live or work here. Discretion may, however, be exercised to admit a domestic servant exceptionally outside the rules if, for example, he or she has formed a part of the employer's household for a long time.