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18 Nov 2008 : Column 320W—continued
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many universities, further education colleges and other educational institutions had applied for licences to sponsor foreign students by 1 October 2008. [234787]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 11 November 2008]: The number of educational establishments which have applied for licences to sponsor foreign students under the points based system is 541.
| Number | |
The figures quoted are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.
Essex Police Authority: Freedom of Information
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussion (a) she, (b) Ministers in her Department and (c) officials in her Department have had with Essex Police Authority on the release of information by them under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and if she will make a statement. [233918]
Mr. Coaker: Neither the Home Secretary, nor Home Office Ministers and officials have had any recent discussions with Essex police authority on the release of information by them under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Foreign Workers: Health Services
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what data her Department holds on the number of economic migrants working in the care and health sectors. [232453]
Mr. Woolas: Applications to work in care and health sectors are not separately identified in employment routes databases. However, volumes can be reported using the following categories:
Health and Medical Services;
Social Worker;
Acupuncturist;
Biomedical Scientist;
Chiropodist/Podiatrist;
Chiropractor;
Dental Surgeon;
Assistant Dentist;
Dental Anaesthetist;
Dietician;
Optician;
Assistant Optometrist;
Medical Practitioner;
Midwife;
Nurse;
Physiotherapist;
Psychiatrist;
Psychologist;
Pharmacist;
Occupational Therapist;
Radiographer;
Speech Therapist;
Social Worker;
Other Health/Medical Occ;
Doctor;
Hospital Consultant;
Senior Carer;
Dental Nurse;
Senior House Officer;
Specialist Registrar;
Foundation Programme Doctor;
Alternative/complementary medicine specialist;
Anaesthetist;
Care assistants and home carers;
Consultant, hospital;
Dental Hygienist;
General Practitioner;
Manager, care home;
Manager, health and social services;
Nursing auxiliaries and assistants;
Optician;
Researcher (medical);
Residential wardens and Houseparents;
Surgeon;
Technician, medical;
Ward Sister; and
Warden (care home).
Human Rights
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Ministry of Justice in relation to the universal periodic review by the UN Human Rights Council. [204276]
Mr. Woolas: The Home Office has been in discussion with the Ministry of Justice about the review since December 2007. Home Office Ministers saw the National Report prior to publication, which formed the basis for discussion at the oral hearing.
Illegal Immigrants: Plymouth
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has received reports on whether an illegal immigrant and alleged murderer is working in a care home in Plymouth. [199319]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 21 April 2008]: In 2005 an intelligence assessment was carried out covering the south and south west of England. Its subject was illegal employment by foreign nationals. The assessment appeared in T he Sunday Times on 30 March 2008 as a result of a leak.
Intelligence contained in the report suggested that a person who had previously worked at a care home in Plymouth was a Filipino national who had false references and may be wanted for murder in the Philippines.
Subsequent inquiries suggested that the person who had been employed at the care home was not the same person who was wanted for murder.
Immigrants: Housing
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2008, Official Report, column 1827W on immigration: housing, what record is kept of the number of private sector providers of property for the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) transferring existing property to the private rented market; how many private sector providers provided property to NASS in each year since its inception; and how many private sector properties were provided for NASS in the same period. [208764]
Mr. Woolas: The United Kingdom Border Agency does not keep a record of the numbers of properties transferred to the private rented market. However I do refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11 June 2008, Official Report, column 336W.
The number of private sector accommodation providers used since the inception of the National Asylum Support Service in 2000 has changed over the years. During the whole period 2000 to 2003 there were 10 private sector providers providing property to NASS. The numbers of private providers reduced to nine in 2004 and the original 10 providers reduced to seven in 2005. In 2006 replacement accommodation contracts were awarded to nine private sector providers. This figure has recently reduced to eight.
We do not hold records of the numbers of properties procured by accommodation providers because the contracts are framed in terms of outcomes.
Immigration
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how she proposes to give effect to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal’s decision in the case of Mrs E.K., wife of Mr S.Z. of Aylesbury, and the Entry Clearance Officer, Islamabad (reference OA 52562/2007). [236204]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 17 November 2008]: The Tribunal’s decision was received in Islamabad on 7 November. A letter was sent to the applicant on 13 November asking her to submit her passport and a TB certificate. The visa will be issued on receipt of these documents.
Immigration Controls
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were applying for settlement in the UK under each employment route when the qualifying period for settlement was increased from four to five years in April 2006. [225195]
Mr. Woolas: The following table shows the number of applications for settlement in the year prior to the qualifying period being increased (1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006) and in the year post the qualifying period being increased (1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007) broken down by each employment route.
The criteria include main applicants only and exclude dependants.
The figures quoted are not provided under national statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.
| Employment route | Pre-rule change (1 April 2005-31 March 2006) | Post- rule change (1 April 2006-31 March 2007) |
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans (a) she and (b) the UK Border Agency has to hold information sessions for hon. Members and their caseworkers on the points-based scoring system in locations other than London. [235719]
Mr. Woolas: The UK Border Agency held information sessions for MPs and their caseworkers on the points based system in London in July.
Two further events are planned in London on 19 November. Where there is a demand, the UK Border Agency will arrange further information sessions outside London.
Immigration Controls: Higher Education
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether universities will be permitted to be licence holders for sponsored researchers under the points-based migration system. [235945]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 17 November 2008]: Under the points-based system, sponsored researchers could come to the UK through the Tier 5: Temporary Workers—Government Authorised Exchange sub-category. The policy framework for this category requires an overarching body to act as sponsor of a scheme, as well as the support of a UK Government Department for the scheme and sponsor. Individual employers are not permitted to act as sponsors of migrants participating in schemes, and universities will not be permitted to become licensed sponsors under this category.
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