HC Deb 09 November 1979 vol 973 cc336-7W
Mr. Jim Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the proportion of marriages contracted between foreign-born husbands and fiancés and women who are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies with the right of residence in the United Kingdom which break up in the first year of marriage;

(2) what evidence he possesses concerning the incidence of the break-up of marriage between foreign-born husbands and fiancés and women who are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies with the right of residence in the United Kingdom;

(3) how many foreign-born husbands or fiancés have been refused entry certificates to the United Kingdom for the years 1977, 1978 and up to October 1979 because his Department and British High Commissions abroad determined that the marriage or proposed marriage was merely one of convenience;

(4) how many foreign-born husbands have been sent back home because their marriages failed in the first year; and how many of the cases involved representation by hon. Members.

Mr. Raison

At least 356 applications to enter or remain on the basis of marriage to a woman settled in the United Kingdom were refused in the two years ending 31 March 1979, but some refusals may not have been recorded. The other information requested by the hon. Member could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Jim Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how he intends to establish a priori whether or not a marriage between a foreign-born husband or fiancé and a woman of United Kingdom and Colonies citizenship with the right of residence in the United Kingdom is one of convenience;

(2) how he intends to establish that one of the parties in a marriage between a foreign-born husband or fiancé and a woman who is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies with the right of residence in the United Kingdom does not intend that the couple should live together permanently as man and wife.

Mr. Raison

Amendments to the immigration rules made by the last Administration introduced the tests of the marriage being one of convenience, and of the intention of couples to live together permanently as man and wife. These tests have been operated since March 1977 and have helped to prevent abuse.