HL Deb 16 May 1991 vol 528 c73WA
Lord Mountevans

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they will implement the controls on the admission of overseas domestic workers outside the Immigration Rules and the work permit scheme which were announced by the noble Earl, Lord Ferrers, on 24th July 1990 (cols. 1437–38).

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

Following our review of the exceptional arrangement for overseas domestic workers, we decided last July to continue the concession allowing domestic servants working abroad to accompany or join their employer in the United Kingdom, but to make the arrangement subject to tighter controls.

We have now completed work on the details of the new procedures, and they will be implemented on 20th May 1991. Under the new arrangement the admission of domestic workers will be limited to those aged 17 or over who have been in paid work for the employer abroad for a substantial period: 12 months where the employer comes as a visitor and 24 months where the employer comes here for any other purpose. In all cases the domestic worker will be required to obtain entry clearance abroad before coming to the United Kingdom and the entry clearance officer will interview the applicant at least on the first occasion to satisfy himself about the arrangement. The entry clearance officer will also ensure in all cases that the domestic worker receives and understands an information leaflet explaining his or her rights and where to turn for help and advice. The entry clearance officer will also give a copy of the leaflet to the employer, together with a covering note explaining its purpose.

During the first year of the new arrangements copies of the leaflets will also be issued by the Immigration and Nationality Department when domestic workers are granted further leave to remain in the United Kingdom in those cases where they will not already have received a leaflet.

We believe that it is in the interests of the domestic workers themselves to continue the concession, since they would otherwise stand to lose their jobs abroad when their employers came to the United Kingdom. We think that these new arrangements will help to minimise the chances of the benefits of the concession being in some cases marred by abuse and exploitation.