Watch out soon for an advertisement inviting applications for the next Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations.

I don't know if the post – with a salary comparable to the Prime Minister's £140,000 - has ever formally been advertised before.

But the Chief Rabbi selectors have been advised to take the precaution because of immigration rules.

If they were eventually to opt for a foreign candidate but had not done their best to find a local boy, then they could run into problems securing him a work permit.