§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the permit system and the restrictions on the numbers of Eastern European students legally working as fruit pickers. [132578]
892W
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 25 July 2000]Under the Immigration Rules, the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme already enables non-European Economic Area (EEA) students between the ages of 18 and 25 who are in full-time education to enter the United Kingdom to do some seasonal work in agriculture. The scheme is organised through seven approved operators who issue work cards to the students to gain entry into the United Kingdom to participate in the scheme. There is an annual quota which was raised from 5,500 to 10,000 in 1996.
I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether the present quota is adequate.