HC Deb 01 August 1984 vol 65 cc319-20W
Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passengers sought entry into the United Kingdom as visitors during each of the last 10 six-monthly periods for which records are available; of these, how many and what percentage were (a) given leave to enter the United Kingdom as visitors immediately upon arrival, (b) given temporary admission and (c) refused, and for what reasons; and how many and what percentage of these persons in each category were from (i) the United States of America, (ii) the Commonwealth, (iii) the New Commonwealth and Pakistan and (iv) the Indian subcontinent.

Mr. Waddington

I will reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, of those passengers seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom as visitors who have been given temporary admission in each of the last 10 six-monthly periods for which records are available, how many and what percentage were subsequently (a) admitted as visitors and (b) refused.

Mr. Waddington

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum and what is the average length of interview time for passengers seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom as visitors from (a) the United States of America, (b) the Commonwealth, (c) outside the European Economic Community, (d) the New Commonwealth and Pakistan and (e) the Indian subcontinent, for each of the last 10 six-monthly periods for which records are available.

Mr. Waddington

The information requested is not available in that form, but the time taken to examine passengers who are not British citizens or EC national averages about a minute.

Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passengers seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom as visitors from (a) the United States of America, (b) the Commonwealth, (c) outside the European Economic Community, (d) the New Commonwealth and Pakistan and (e) the Indian subcontinent, respectively, were interviewed or detained whilst awaiting interview for (i) up to two hours, (ii) between two and five hours, (iii) between five and 10 hours, (iv) between 10 and 18 hours, (v) between 18 and 24 hours and (vi) over 24 hours.

Mr. Waddington

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passengers seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom as visitors were interviewed at each of the ports of entry to the United Kingdom for the last 10 years for which records are available; how many translators have been available at each of these ports; and, of these, how many speak (a) Bengali, (b) Chinese, (c) Gujerati, (d) Hindi, (e) Punjabi, (f) Tamil, (g) Telugu and (h) Urdu, respectively.

Mr. Waddington

I will write to the hon. and learned Member.

Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, of those passengers seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom as visitors from (a) the United States of America, (b) the Commonwealth, (c) outside the European Economic Community, (d) the new Commonwealth and Pakistan and (e) the Indian sub-continent who were interviewed or detained whilst awaiting interview for more than five hours, how many were detained due to the absence of translators; and for how long.

Mr. Waddington

the information requested is not available.

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