§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the immigration status of au pairs; and if he will make a statement. [71967]
§ Mr. Mike O'Brien[pursuant to his reply, 25 February 1999, c. 392–93]Under the Immigration Rules, an au pair must be unmarried, aged between 17 and 27 and without dependants, and come from one of the designated countries. They may stay in the United Kingdom for up to two years, living as part of an English speaking family and learning the language. They may help in the home for no more than five hours a day, with two days off per week, in return for a reasonable allowance.