§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if she will list for the last five years the number of applications for work permits that are(a) categorised as tier 1 applications and (b) categorised as tier 2 applications;
(2) if she will list for the last five years (a) the number of tier 1 applicants for work permits and (b) the number of tier 2 applicants for work permits and the outcomes of these applications;
§ Mr. McLoughlin[holding answer 2 February 1993]:The information is not available in the form requested. The two-tier procedure for making work permit applications was introduced in October 1991, together with changes in the way applications are recorded. The following table shows for the last five years the number of applications received for categories of permit now dealt with under the two-tier procedure.
Number 1988 28,295 1989 34,784 1990 40,065 19911 37,086 1992 32,789 1 Changes made to the arrangements for recording applications. Note: Over this period on-average approximately 50 per cent. of these applications were approved.