HC Deb 24 October 1986 vol 102 cc1009-11W
Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will name the persons responsible for considering appeals against refusal of a visa by nationals of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh; and if these persons were in post on 15 October;

(2) if he will name, for each country concerned, the persons responsible for considering appeals against refusal of a visa to visit the United Kingdom.

Mr. Eggar

There are no persons responsible for considering appeals against refusal of a visa in the countries concerned.

However, an entry clearance officer, in consultation at larger posts with his senior officer, reconsiders his decision in the light of the grounds of appeal put forward. If the entry clearance officer maintains his decision he prepares an explanatory statement which is forwarded to the independent appellate authorities in this country. Officers competent to undertake this role were in all entry clearance posts on 15 October.

Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance given by his Department on the procedure for appeals against refusal of a visa to visit the United Kingdom; and in how many languages such guidance is available

Mr. Eggar

Yes. The guidance is available only in English, as has been the case since the coming into force of the Immigration Appeals Act 1969 in all entry clearance issuing posts. Where a refusal is handed to the applicant, the guidance is, where necessary, explained by the interpreter.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs if he will give a breakdown by British missions in each of the five visa countries of the numbers and categories of additional staff employed to deal with visa applications; and what is the total cost involved to date.

Mr. Eggar

The total planned reinforcement of visa sections in the five countries is in the following table:

Nigeria

Lagos

  • 1 First Secretary
  • 2 Second Secretaries
  • 12 Entry Clearance Officers
  • 7 Clerical and Secretarial Support Staff plus
  • 15 Locally Engaged Staff

Kaduna

  • 1 Second Secretary
  • 3 Entry Clearance Officers
  • 4 Clerical and Secretarial Support Staff plus
  • 3 Locally Engaged Staff

Ghana

Accra

  • 1 Entry Clearance Officer plus
  • 3 Locally Engaged Staff

Bangladesh

Dhaka

  • 4 Entry Clearance Officers plus
  • 19 Locally Engaged Staff

India

New Delhi

  • 2 Second Secretaries
  • 4 Entry Clearance Officers plus
  • 14 Locally Engaged Staff

Bombay

  • 1 Second Secretary
  • 4 Entry Clearance Officers
  • 1 Clerical Support Staff plus
  • 11 Locally Engaged Staff

Calcutta

  • 1 Entry Clearance Officer
  • 1 Clerical Support Staff plus
  • 4 Locally Engaged Staff

Madras

  • 3 Entry Clearance Officers plus
  • 6 Locally Engaged Staff

Pakistan

Islamabad

  • 1 Second Secretary
  • 5 Entry Clearance Officers plus
  • 15 Locally Engaged Staff

Karachi

  • 1 Second Secretary
  • 7 Entry Clearance Officers
  • 1 Clerical Support Staff plus
  • 15 Locally Engaged Staff

Locally engaged staff include interpreters, counter reception staff, clerks, typists and telephonists.

Actual current costs are not yet available but it is estimated that start-up costs of £4.8 million will be incurred in the current financial year, with annual recurrent costs of £14 million (at current prices) thereafter.