Written question asked by Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 February 2009.

Universities: Sponsored Researchers

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the remarks by the Minister for Borders and Immigration, Mr Phil Woolas, in the House of Commons Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee on 14 January (Official Report, House of Commons, col. 12), what statutory mechanism they will use to allow universities to continue to sponsor certain researchers notwithstanding the provisions of the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules 2008 (HC 1113).

Answer: Section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1971 provides the Secretary of State with the ability to lay before Parliament statements of the rules for regulating entry into and stay in the United Kingdom (UK). While the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules 2008 (HC 1113) makes provision for leave to be granted to migrants coming to the UK under the government-authorised exchange sub-category of tier 5, temporary workers of the points-based system (PBS), information on the organisations that qualify as sponsors under this category is contained in the UK Border Agency's (UKBA) sponsor guidance. The full sponsor guidance is available on the UKBA website at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersandsponsors/pbsguidance and a copy of this document will be placed in the House Library. This document is amended periodically, and the next scheduled update in March 2009 will incorporate further information on the revised position of sponsored researchers under the PBS. In the mean time, information advising that individual higher education institutions that qualify as sponsors under the student tier, tier 4 of the PBS, has been added to the UKBA website. Members of the UKBA's joint education taskforce, comprising representatives of higher education institutions affected by this change, have also been informed.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 959; 707 c114-5WA
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects: Immigration controls Higher education Research Sponsorship
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk