Immigration (Entry Clearance) (Hansard, 13 February 1984)

§ Mr. Denis Howell
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the numbers of applications in Bangladesh awaiting process by entry clearance officers in that country and the average length of time now being taken to (a) interview and (b) reach a decision upon these applications in respect of each of the following categories: (i) wives and children, (ii) male fiancés, (iii) elderly relatives and (iv) United Kingdom passport holders; and, in respect of each such category, what were the percentages of such cases referred to his Department for determination and the percentages refused the issue of an entry clearance certificate;
(2) what are the numbers of applications in Pakistan awaiting process by entry clearance officers in that country and the average length of time now being taken to (a) interview and (b) reach a decision upon these applications in respect of each of the following categories: (i) wives and children, (ii) male fiancés, (iii) elderly relatives and (iv) United Kingdom passport holders; and, in respect of each such category, what are the percentages of such cases referred to his Department for determination and the percentages refused the issue of an entry clearance certificate;
(3) what are the numbers of applications in India awaiting process by entry clearance officers in that country and the average length of time now being taken to (a) interview and (b) reach a decision upon these applications in respect of each of the following categories: (i) wives and 9W children, (ii) male fiancés, (iii) elderly relatives and (iv) United Kingdom passport holders; and, in respect of each such category, what are the percentages of such cases referred to his Department for determination and the percentages refused the issue of an entry clearance certificate.

§ Mr. Waddington
The waiting times to first interview for applicants in the main queue, which includes male fiancés, are published in the quarterly Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Control of Immigration: Statistics" (table 6 of issue 23/83); some wives and children and elderly relatives are in priority queues and wait shorter times. In respect of the average time taken to reach a

Applications for entry clearance in the Indian subcontinent January to September 1983

Applications awaiting a decision at end of period Applications referred to Home Office for a decision Refusal rate^*

Number of persons Number of persons per cent.

Bangladesh

Wives and children 11,300 30 54

Other dependent relatives 60 — ║29

Male fiancés 20 — †║33

India

Wives and children: 1,000 230 12

of whom: British passport holders‡ 90 10 6

Other dependent relatives 560 70 49

of whom: British passport holders‡ 190 20 32

Male fiancés 1,400 380 †54

of whom: British passport holders‡ — — †║100

Pakistan

Wives and children 4,600 340 34

Other dependent relatives 270 20 77

Male fiancés 1,200 130 †37

^* Applications refused as a percentage of applications decided (granted or refused) at a first or subsequent interview. Refusal rates can fluctuate widely when the number of decisions is small.

† For applications decided under the 1983 immigration rules (H.C. 66, 169).

‡ British passport holders without the right of abode.

║ Refusal rate based on fewer than 20 decisions.

§ Mr. Denis Howell
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the numbers of applications in the West Indies awaiting process by entry clearance officers in those countries and the average length of time now being taken to (a) interview and (b) reach a decision upon these applications in respect of each of the following categories: (i) wives and children, (ii) male fiancés, (iii) elderly relatives and (iv) United Kingdom passport holders; and, in respect of each such category, what are the percentages of such cases referred to his Department for determination and the percentages refused the issue of an entry clearance certificate.

§ Mr. Waddington
The information requested is not available centrally.

Applications for entry clearance in the Indian subcontinent January to September 1983
	Applications awaiting a decision at end of period	Applications referred to Home Office for a decision	Refusal rate^*
	Number of persons	Number of persons	per cent.
Bangladesh
Wives and children	11,300	30	54
Other dependent relatives	60	—	║29
Male fiancés	20	—	†║33
India
Wives and children:	1,000	230	12
of whom: British passport holders‡	90	10	6
Other dependent relatives	560	70	49
of whom: British passport holders‡	190	20	32
Male fiancés	1,400	380	†54
of whom: British passport holders‡	—	—	†║100
Pakistan
Wives and children	4,600	340	34
Other dependent relatives	270	20	77
Male fiancés	1,200	130	†37
^* Applications refused as a percentage of applications decided (granted or refused) at a first or subsequent interview. Refusal rates can fluctuate widely when the number of decisions is small.
† For applications decided under the 1983 immigration rules (H.C. 66, 169).
‡ British passport holders without the right of abode.
║ Refusal rate based on fewer than 20 decisions.