§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many applications by professional cricketers for work permits to play cricket in the United Kingdom have been(a) granted and (b) refused to date in 1993; what changes have been made this year to the criteria for granting work permits; which British cricketing organisations were consulted about policy changes for granting work permits; and if she will make a statement;
(2) how many work permits were issued by the overseas labour section to cricketers to play cricket in the United Kingdom in each year since 1990; how many applications for work permits were (a) granted and (b) refused by country or origin in each year; what are the qualifying criteria for granting work permits; and on what dates such criteria were altered.
§ Mr. McLoughlinInformation about the number of work permits issued by the overseas labour section for cricketers to play in Great Britain is not available. Work permits are issued only to cricketers who have experience of playing first-class cricket in their own country and who it is considered will not take employment away from resident players. The terms and conditions on offer have to be equivalent to those which apply to resident players.
The Department has a consistent policy with regard to the issue of work permits for cricketers. The criteria have not changed and, following discussions with the League Cricket Conference, Test and County Cricket Board, National Cricket Association and the Scottish Cricket Union, no changes are envisaged.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment on what basis Indian and Pakistani nationals who are professional cricketers are judged to be qualified to apply for work permits to play cricket in the United Kingdom; how many appeals against refusal to grant a work permit have been lodged this year, to date; and how many appeals(a) have been upheld, (b) have been dismissed and (c) are awaiting decision.
§ Mr. McLoughlinApplications to employ professional cricketers who are Indian and Pakistani nationals are considered on the same basis as those for players from any other country. Information about appeals against decisions to refuse applications for cricketers is not available.