HC Deb 21 October 2003 vol 411 c558W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the numbers of migrant participants in the new Sector Based Schemes covering food processing and hospitality. [130500]

Beverley Hughes

The figures for the number of Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) work permits that have been approved from the launch on 30 May 2003 to 31 June 2003 covering food processing and hospitality are given in the table:

SBS permits issued
Number
Total 1,269
Food manufacturing sector 1,214
Hospitality sector 55

Work Permits (UK) is currently discussing with key stakeholders how effectively the scheme is operating, and these discussions will inform the way forward from the end of January 2004 onward (when the current quota is due to expire).