Written question asked by John Wilkinson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 4 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 April 2001. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 23 April 2001 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many work permits for entrants to the UK were granted in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999 and (e) 2000 to information technology and e-commerce specialists from countries outside the European Union. - Inc figs.

Answer: Mr. Wilkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many work permits for entrants to the UK were granted in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999 and (e) 2000 to information technology and e-commerce specialists from countries outside the European Union. [157694] Ms Hodge: The number of foreign nationals granted permission, through work permit arrangements, to undertake information technology related jobs during 2000 was 18,257. Comparable figures for 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 are not available as the way in which work permit management information is collected was changed in October 1999.

Secondary information