§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in the period since 1 April the police have visited Her Majesty's high commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
§ Mr. RentonTo the high commission's knowledge there have been four visits. Two were to inquire about theft and one concerned an unruly visitor who was removed at the high commission's request. The fourth occurred early on 11 June when an individual in the queue outside the high commission ran away when approached by the police.
§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are made for those people wishing to apply for visas to travel to the United Kingdom from Colombo to queue at the high commission.
§ Mr. RentonQueues form each working day outside the high commission compound before the consular immigration section opens. Once open, the high commission admits those applicants whom it can process that day. The remaining applicants are given appointments for the following day. The high commission is currently processing approximately 80 applications per working day.
§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements there are for asylum seekers from areas of Sri Lanka outside Colombo to contact or be interviewed by Her Majesty's high commission.
§ Mr. RentonThere are no arrangements for entry clearance applicants to be interviewed outside Colombo. 315W The high commission has received no reports of any problems experienced by Sri Lankans travelling to Colombo for interviews. All applicants, including those from the north and east, are asked whether they had any problems and, to date, none has complained. Applicants can, of course, telephone the high commission from all over Sri Lanka.