§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits have been granted to people seeking to work in the British information technology industry in each of the past five years. [128313]
§ Beverley HughesThe number of work permit approvals in respectof the computer services industry in each of the past five years is as follows:
Number 1998 5,786 1999 7,266 2000 17,288 2001 23,203 2002 19,877
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the India Business Group was asked to join the Work Permits Panel; and if he will make a statement on the balance of its membership(a) inside and (b) outside the UK. [128314]
§ Beverley HughesWork Permits (UK) seeks to ensure that the membership of the Information Technology, Communications and Electronic Sector Advisory Panel is balanced and represents all those stakeholders which have a direct interest in the operation of the work permit arrangements in this area and which are able to provide WPUK with advice on labour market conditions in this area. The membership of the panel comprises employer and employee groups, as well as other Government Departments and non-governmental organisations. The India Business Group was invited to join the Panel on the basis that it represents businesses located in the United Kingdom which are users of the work permit arrangements.