§ 43. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the waiting list for the processing of non-asylum applications to the immigration appellate adjudicator.
Mr. John M. TaylorOnce the parties have indicated readiness to proceed, the average waiting time for a non-asylum appeal to be heard by an adjudicator is nine weeks.
§ Mr. HughesI am grateful. Can the hon. Gentleman confirm that, although that is the average, many take 927 much longer and that every time there is a delay it also affects the families abroad? Can he ensure in the coming year that additional resources are made available to deal with the backlog without prejudice to present applicants?
Mr. TaylorWaiting times have come down in the past two years, but not so much as the hon. Gentleman or I would like. We are taking a number of specific measures. Five are listed in my brief. If the hon. Gentleman would like, rather than gabbling them into the microphone I will write to him to tell him what they are.