§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to attract skilled foreign workers to the UK; and if he will make a statement. [29835]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 24 January 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs. Ellman) on 13 December 2001, Official Report, column 1010W. Applications under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme will be accepted by diplomatic posts overseas from 28 January. The work permit system additionally provides a fast, effective route for employers to recruit skilled people to fill vacancies where they are unable to recruit or train a resident worker. The forthcoming White Paper will further set out the Government's strategy for making sure the immigration system maximises the benefits to the United Kingdom of skilled foreign workers.