§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many work permits have been issued to non-European Economic Area(a) professional basket ball players, (b) golf professionals, (c) rugby football union players, (d) rugby football league players, (e) horse racing jockeys, (f) cricket players, (g) ice hockey players and (h) association football players in (i) England and Wales and (ii) Scotland in (A) 1996–97, (B) 1997–98, (C) 1998–99 and (D) 1999–2000. [148882]
§ Ms Hodge[holding answer 7 February 2001]Information held by the Department does not distinguish between England and Wales, and Scotland, and it does not separately identify rugby football union players from rugby football league players. As the seasons between the different sports overlap, for ease of reference the information requested has been presented by calendar year.
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Professional basketball players 85 92 70 88 87 Golf professionals 0 0 0 0 0 Rugby players 227 261 204 180 158 Horse racing jockeys 12 3 3 3 6 Cricket players 189 239 263 285 352 Ice hockey players 66 55 52 64 79 Association football players 53 53 67 78 76 Figures include all approvals for work permits, work permit extensions, and change of employers.