§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken to implement in domestic law and practice the right of Russian companies to send key personnel to the United Kingdom as provided for in Articles 28 to 30 of the EC/Russian Partnership and Co-operation Agreement. [93302]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienIt has not been necessary to introduce specific measures and Russian companies wishing to take advantage of these provisions are expected to apply under the existing well-established work permit procedures.
The European Community/Russian Partnership and Co-operation Agreement specifically allows the parties to continue to apply immigration and work permit controls. Under the provisions of the Agreement, key personnel are still required to obtain work permits and Russian nationals still require visas to enter the United Kingdom. The Agreement specifically provides by means of a joint declaration by the parties that the requirement of a visa does not nullify or impair its benefits.