Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 March 2011. It was answered by Damian Green (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 March 2011 on behalf of the Home Office.

Foreign Workers

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had on the grant of intracompany transfer visas or other visas to (a) Indian and (b) other non-EU workers; what proposals she has received from the (i) EU and (ii) Indian Government concerning such visas; what representations she has received on this subject; what proposals have been made for the EU to grant the right of entry to EU member states for such workers from outside the EU and what proposals have otherwise been made in respect of the EU on this subject; what discussions she has held with other Ministers regarding such matters; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The Indian Government responded to last year's public consultation on the changes we are making to economic migration routes, including Intra-Company Transfers (ICTs). The European Commission brought forward a proposal for a directive on the admission of third country ICTs, which the UK has not opted into. The EU is also holding discussions with India on a free trade agreement which, it is proposed, will contain provisions on migrant workers.The Home Secretary has frequent discussions with other Ministers concerning migration policy, among other matters.

Secondary information