§ Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deportees are in prison awaiting repatriation due to delays by the Indian High Commission in issuing travel documents; and what is the average time taken to issue such documents.
§ Dr. Summerskill:On 11th October there were no Indian nationals detained in prison on the strength of a deportation order whose repatriation awaited the issue of a travel document.
When it is necessary to revalidate an existing travel document this can take as little as 14 days; when no travel document exists it is often necessary for personal particulars to be verified and this may take much longer.