HC Deb 14 December 1989 vol 163 c762W
Dr. Marek

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many St. Helenians are at present working in the United Kingdom; and what is the nature of their work.

Mr. Sainsbury

There are 104 St. Helenians in Britain on work permits, who are employed in semi-skilled and unskilled jobs, mainly in the hotel and domestic service sectors. In addition, it is estimated that there are between 4,000 and 5,000 people of St. Helenian extraction currently in the United Kingdom, many of whom are second or third generation residents.

Dr. Marek

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present number of unemployed on St. Helena; and what it was(a) one year ago and (b) five years ago.

Mr. Sainsbury

Seventy-one people are presently receiving unemployment benefit in St. Helena. In addition, 105 are working three days per week as part of a community scheme for the unemployed. In 1988 a total of 125 people were working in the latter category. No other figures are available.

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