Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with the Roman Catholic hierarchy in England and Wales about their ability to host for indefinite periods seconded clergy from (a) Poland and (b) other EU Member States after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.

The recently published White Paper on the future immigration system, sets out our intention to continue to attract those who bring a range of skills, including those who make valuable contributions to the enjoyment of faith and community across the UK.

In the future, there will be a single skills-based system. Under current arrangements, which we will look to build on, there are two routes available for non-EU nationals. The first, Tier 2 Ministers of Religion is for those play-ing a leading role as faith leaders in our religious institutions. The second route, Tier 5 Religious Workers is for those undertaking non-pastoral roles supporting the activities of these institutions. We are embarking on an ex-tensive programme of engagement and will be talking to representatives of a range of faith and community groups, including from the Catholic Church.