§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the reason for the delay in interviewing Mr. Riaz Ahmed, son of the Mohammed Hussain, who was to have been seen by the United Kingdom 1170WA embassy in Islamabad in the autumn of this year, and is now expected to reach the head of the queue "in the winter of 1981–82"; and whether they do not consider that, in giving the family the estimate of autumn 1980, public faith had thereby been pledged.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Carrington)On current estimates our embassy in Islamabad expect to see Mr. Ahmed in his turn in December against an estimate of autumn 1981. Estimates of waiting times made when an application for entry clearance is lodged are not pledges. The eventual date of interview may vary slightly either way.
House adjourned at twenty-nine minutes past five o'clock.