To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many work permits were applied for by (a) her Department and (b) its agencies in each of the last five years. (126801)

The Department applied for one work permit, in 2005.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, an executive agency of the Department, applied for two work permits in the last five years —one in 2003 and one in 2006.

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, an executive agency of the Department, applied for a total of two work permits—one applied for in 2003 and one in 2007.