To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi citizens currently employed by the Ministry of Defence have applied for indefinite leave to enter on an exceptional basis outside the Immigration Rules. (189894)

[holding answer 28 February 2008]: Staff who are currently employed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are not eligible to apply for indefinite leave to enter on an exceptional basis outside the immigration rules; they only become eligible under the scheme of assistance when they are made redundant or forced to resign under exceptional circumstances.

Of those who were employed on or after 8 August 2007, seven members of staff have applied to the MOD for indefinite leave to enter. They are being assisted through the process at the present time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi citizens currently employed by the Ministry of Defence have applied for indefinite leave to enter on an exceptional basis outside the immigration rules. (189858)

Staff who are currently employed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are not eligible to apply for indefinite leave to enter on an exceptional basis outside the immigration rules; they only become eligible under the scheme of assistance when they are made redundant or forced to resign under exceptional circumstances.

Of those who were employed on or after 8 August 2007, seven members of staff have applied to the MOD for indefinite leave to enter. They are being assisted through the process at the present time.