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Humfrey Malins CBE, MP for Woking and Conservative Frontbench Spokesman for Home Affairs, asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were issued under the fast track scheme for shortage occupations in the period since the introduction of this scheme.
Ms Eagle replied: "The number of work permits issued for Tier 1 applications can only be given from 1 October 1999 which are 120,750 of which 65,002 are shortage occupations. The shortage skills occupation category was first introduced into the work permit arrangements in February 1990. The number of work permits issued for shortage occupations since that date are not available as the way in which work permit management information is collected was changed on 1 October 1999."
Mr. Malins' second question was: "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were issued to IT professionals in (a) the last year and (b) in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement."
Ms Eagle said: "The number of work permits which were issued to Information Technology professionals in the last year, from 1 October 2000 until 30 September 2001 was 28,191. The number of work permits issued in the period 1 September to 30 September 2001, which is the latest period available is 1,477."
James Gray, Member of Parliament for North Wiltshire, then asked: "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were issued in the last 12 months to immigrants from India and Pakistan seeking employment in the IT industry."
Ms Eagle responded: "The number of work permits approved in the last 12 months for Indian nationals seeking employment in the Information Technology (IT) industry was 16,575. The number approved for nationals from Pakistan seeking employment in the IT industry was 342."
Earlier this year Margaret Hodge, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education, answered a similar parliamentary question revealing that the top ten countries of origin for IT professionals coming to the UK under the fast track system over the year 2000. The top three were: 1- India 11,474, 2- United States of America 2,034, 3- South Africa 748.
The figures come in the same week that Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany says he is looking to attract more computer professionals from India and Indian software and educational services firm SSI says its profits have plunged 90 per cent.
The fast track visa system could soon be subject to an overhaul following David Blunkett, Home Secretary’s, recent proposals to replace it with a US-style 'green card' system to oversee skilled immigration in the UK.
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Richard Powell, Shout99
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