§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many work permit applications for soccer players from abroad were received by her Department in 1995 including those for extensions to existing permits. [10157]
§ Mrs. GillanThe number of work permit applications for soccer players from abroad, including those for extensions to existing permits, received by the Department in 1995 was 65.
§ Mr. BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons information regarding work permit applications for soccer players from abroad is not available in respect of clubs, player nationality and refusal numbers as indicated in her answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 1341. [10177]
§ Mrs. GillanEach work permit application is considered on its merits against the agreed criteria for soccer players. Information about clubs, and the players' nationality and numbers refused is not recorded separately by the work permit computer system as these factors are not relevant to the decision to approve or refuse a permit application.