HC Deb 13 February 2004 vol 418 c242W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons nurses working in the UK with a work permit are barred from registering with a nursing agency. [153102]

Beverley Hughes

Work permits are not issued to employment agencies and similar businesses for any employment because we wish to ensure that the employer is directly responsible for the duties of the post for which the work permit is issued. Work supplementary to that for which the permit is issued is also subject to this restriction. Overseas nurses are free to use the services of employment agencies and similar types of business to search for further employment opportunities, but it is for the employer, not the agency, that should apply for the work permit.