HC Deb 06 May 1993 vol 224 cc177-8W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to make provisions for overseas domestic workers to be granted leave to remain while they pursue legal action, civil or criminal, against former employers;

(2) what plans he has of giving overseas domestic workers an immigration status (a) independent of the household they work for and (b) as workers;

(3) what plans he has to establish a review of the present laws regulating the admission of overseas domestic workers; and if he will make a statement;

(4) what plans there are to allow overseas domestic workers to change employers within the same category of employment.

Mr. Charles Wardle

We introduced in May 1991 tighter criteria for the exceptional arrangements outside the immigration rules under which a domestic servant who has worked abroad for an employer who comes to the United Kingdom may be admitted to continue working for that employer. Although domestic workers are admitted to keep their jobs as part of the household of their employer, they have their own immigration status as employees and may apply for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom after four years in approved employment under the exceptional arrangements. There are no provisions under those arrangements for domestic workers to change employers outside the immigration rules before being granted indefinite leave to remain. Nor is there provision for any non-EC national to remain in the United Kingdom after his or her leave has expired in order to pursue legal action. However, each case involving a domestic worker who wishes to remain in the United Kingdom after having left the employer for whom he or she was admitted to work is carefully considered before any enforcement action is taken, and account is taken of any compassionate circumstances. We have no plans to carry out a further review of the arrangements for domestic workers.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on how many overseas domestic workers have initiated legal challenges against their former employers since 24 July 1990 on grounds of (a) sexual offences, (b) offences of violence, (c) false imprisonment, (d) assault and battery, (e) intimidation, (f) breach of contract and (g) slavery; and how many such employers were found guilty.

Mr. Jack

The information requested is not recorded centrally.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received with regard to reforming the immigration status of overseas domestic workers in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Charles Wardle

Since the beginning of this year, my right hon. and learned Friend and I have received four lettters from right hon. and hon. Members and noble Lords about the exceptional arrangements outside the immigration rules for domestic workers from overseas. My right hon. and learned Friend and I have also received a number of letters from members of the public and organisations.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many domestic workers have entered the United Kingdom since 1977; and if he will specify those entering under(a) code 4, (b) code 5N and (c) code 3 of the immigration regulations.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The information is not available in the form requested. However, in the period January to August 1992, some 8,600 entry clearances were issued to domestic workers by the main posts which issue entry clearances to such workers.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the number of domestic workers deported since 1980; and how many were(a) overstayers or (b) unauthorised workers.

Mr. Charles Wardle

This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.