HL Deb 08 August 1972 vol 334 cc1087-8WA
LORD AVEBURY

asked her Majesty's Government:

  1. (a) On what date Mr. Amar Kant Sharma applied for an entry certificate in order to marry a resident of the United Kingdom; on what date the application was refused and for what reasons;
  2. (b) On what date Mr. Amar Kant Sharma arrived in the United Kingdom without an entry certificate; in what places was he detained, and for how long; what inquiries were made during this period; and on what date was he sent to India;
  3. (c) Whether any preference is given to applicants for special vouchers in the case of United Kingdom passport holders from East Africa whose fiancees are resident here.

VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSS

Mr. Amar Kant Sharma applied on June 8, 1971, for an entry certificate for the purpose of marriage and settlement in the United Kingdom. The application was refused on the same day because the entry certificate officer considered that there were no special circumstances, justifying the issue of a certificate, within the terms of paragraph 46 of the Instructions to Immigration Officers (Cmnd. 4298). The decision was on May 12, 1972, upheld on appeal to an independent adjudicator. Mr. Sharma arrived in the United Kingdom on May 29 and was detained at Harmondsworth from then until June 26, thereafter in Pentonville Prison until July 18 and finally in Harmondsworth for one day. After a careful review, Mr. Sharma was returned to India on July 19. In default of exceptional circumstances, no preference is given to applicants for special vouchers whose fiancees are resident in the United Kingdom.