§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many work permits have been(a) issued and (b) refused to individuals seeking employment as cricket professionals in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythInformation about the number of work permits issued and refused for cricket professionals is not available.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what restrictions exist on the appointment of West Indian cricketers as club professionals; what changes to the regulations have occurred recently; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythWest Indian cricketers are treated in the same way as cricketers who are citizens of other countries outside the European Economic Area. Unless they qualify under the immigration rules to be able to take employment without restriction, they must obtain a work permit before they enter the country. Work permits are issued only for 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 player. The minimum terms and conditions on offer to them must be equivalent to those which apply to resident players. The Department has a consistent policy with regard to the issue of work permits and there have been no recent changes to the regulations.
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§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what cricket tournaments in the West Indies are regarded as first class for the purposes of work permits being issued by his Department.
§ Mr. ForsythThe Department follows the regulations of the International Cricket Council on what cricket is regarded as first class.
In the West Indies the following qualify: matches played by teams representing Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands either for the Red Stripe Cup or against other opponents adjudged first class; the final of the inter-county tournament in Guyana between Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo is also accepted.