HC Deb 31 January 2002 vol 379 cc527-8W
Mr. Truswell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants, broken down by category, have been admitted under the fast track scheme for shortage occupations in information technology since 1 October 1999. [30998]

Angela Eagle

The number of work permits approved under the shortage occupation category for information technology occupations since 21 January 2000 is 20,292. This is the date that information technology occupations were first included on the work permit shortage occupation list.

Mr. Truswell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis Oracle database administration was included on the list of shortage occupations for the purposes of the fast track work permit scheme. [30999]

Angela Eagle

Oracle database administrator was included on the work permit shortage occupation list following consultation with representatives from the information technology communications and electronics sector and other Government Departments.

Mr. Truswell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that the employment market data used to inform the fast track work permit scheme for shortage occupations is(a) accurate and (b) up to date. [31000]

Angela Eagle

The Home Department consults regularly on relevant and current labour market issues with other Government Departments and representatives from those sectors of industry that are included on the work permit shortage occupation list.

Mr. Truswell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what data were used to compile the list of shortage occupations in information technology for the purposes of the fast track work permit system. [31001]

Angela Eagle

Regular consultation with a panel of representatives from the information technology communications and electronics sector and other Government Departments provides up-to-date information on the information technology labour market. This allows the Department to make informed decisions about the compilation of the work permit shortage occupation list.