HC Deb 02 February 1993 vol 218 c160W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list for the last five years the number of employers whose applications for a work permit are refused who ask for a review; and what percentage of those reviews result in a reversal.

Mr. McLoughlin

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what research and data collection are carried out by her Department to assess which skills are in short supply to inform decisions on work permit applications.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Department draws on a range of labour market information and consults employer and professional bodies and other relevant organisations to inform decisions on work permit applications.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average time taken to inform(a) tier 1 applicants for work permits and (b) tier 2 applicants for work permits whether their applications have been successful.

Mr. McLoughlin

The information requested is not available in the form requested. During 1992 more than 80 per cent. of work permit applications were decided within eight weeks of receipt.