§ Mr. Robert Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the effect on the waiting list for interview of applicants for immigration to the United Kingdom of the relaxation of immigration rules announced during the last 18 months; and if he will estimate the number of applicants currently awaiting interview in the Indian sub-continent.
§ Mr. RowlandsI presume the hon. Member has in mind the decision to allow husbands to join wives already settled here and to admit men for marriage to women settled here which was announced to the House by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 27th June 1974 and which resulted in a change in the Immigration Rules.
This decision has had the most significant effect in relation to applicants in India, where the numbers of outstanding applicants in New Delhi has risen from 1,149 at the end of June 1974 to 3,035— 237W including 1,926 fiancés and 186 husbands —at the end of December 1975. The comparative figures for Bombay are 2,597 at the end of June 1974 and 5,885 —including 1,077 fiancés and 459 husbands—at the end of December 1975. The number of applicants currently awaiting interview at Dacca is 14,700—including a minimal number of fiancés and husbands. At Islamabad, 12,077—including 307 fiancés; husbands not recorded as such; and at Karachi 1,148—including 66 fiancés and 25 husbands.