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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Fabricant: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will discuss with Department for Education and Employment the issuing of temporary work permits to Australian veterinary surgeons on holiday in the United Kingdom. [156012] Ms Quin: [holding answer 2 April 2001]: Responsibility for the issue of work permits lies with Works Permits (UK), part of the Department for Education and Employment and with the Home Office. The Ministry has been in discussion with both these Departments regarding the issue of work permits to vets from abroad who want to work with the Ministry during the current outbreak. The Home Office has no objections to those qualified vets who are currently in the UK under the Working Holidaymaker Scheme taking up full employment on behalf of MAFF for the duration of the crisis without the need to obtain an additional work permit. A qualified vet currently in the UK as a visitor may make an application for leave to remain for the purposes of providing veterinary services to MAFF during the crisis. In those circumstances, consideration will be given to the granting of a period of six months leave to remain for the purpose of permit free employment with MAFF.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

156012; 367 c492W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Australia Foot and mouth disease Overseas visitors Migrant workers Work permits Veterinary medicine Working holidays

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk