§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many work permits for entrants to the UK were granted in(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999 and (e) 2000 to information technology and e-commerce specialists from countries outside the European Union. [157694]
§ Ms HodgeThe number of foreign nationals granted permission, through work permit arrangements, to undertake information technology related jobs during 2000 was 18,257. Comparable figures for 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 are not available as the way in which work permit management information is collected was changed in October 1999.