§ Mr. SimmondsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work visas were issued to foreign nationals in each year since 1997. [157814]
§ Beverley HughesThe number of work permits issued in each of the last five calendar years is set out in the following table:
Number issued 1999 60,743 2000 88,651 2001 120,823 2002 136,151 2003 145,351