HL Deb 01 April 1996 vol 571 cc11-2WA
Lord Northfield

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many aliens currently have the right of permanent residence in the United Kingdom for business or employment purposes.

Baroness Blatch

European Economic Area nationals and their family members may reside freely in the United Kingdom in employment or business, in accordance with European Community law. All foreign nationals, including EEA nationals, and Commonwealth citizens who have been granted settlement in the United Kingdom under the Immigration Rules may seek employment or to establish a business here. Information on the number of such persons currently resident in the United Kingdom is not available.

The numbers of persons who have been granted settlement each year, in total and identifying separately those accepted on the basis of employment or an existing business, are published in Table 6.3 of the annual publication Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom, copies of which are in the Library.