APPENDIX 28
Memorandum from the League Cricketers
Conference (WP 43)
I understand from Sir Alan Haslehurst that you
are the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee, looking into
the Work Permit regulations for overseas sportspeople seeking
employment in this country. I also understand that the Committee
looked primarily at the situation within professional football.
Together with colleagues from the England and
Wales Cricket Board, I regularly meet officials from the Overseas
Labour Service to discuss the criteria for cricketers seeking
employment within the recreational game. As you may be aware around
300 work permits are issued each season for overseas cricketers.
I enclose a copy of a paper supplied to the
OLS by ECB which sets out the position of recreational clubs in
this country. If your Committee conclude that the regulations
for professional footballers should be relaxed then we would hope
and expect a similar relaxation in the criteria for professional
cricketers.
Your Committee report is, I understand nearing
publication, but would hope that the interests of recreational
cricket could also be considered.
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