§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any consideration is being given, following the Government's decision to extend visa requirements for some visitors to Britain, to establish any additional British posts in the countries affected; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarNo. But entry clearances are now being issued in Madras. Three entry clearance officers have been posted there.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are being made by British overseas posts in countries whose nationals are subject to the "Statement of change in Immigration Rules," Cmnd. 9914, to ensure that interviews in connection with visa applications are recorded, that the explanatory statements are prepared within fixed time limits and that entry clearance officers' handwritten notes are also made available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarEntry clearance officers are under instruction to take notes of all interviews and to despatch explanatory statements as soon as practicable after receipt of an appeal. The independent appellate authorities will shortly be considering the value of experimental cases in which the vital exchanges of an entry clearance officer's record of interview are incorporated verbatim into the explanatory statement.
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§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken by British posts in countries whose nationals are subject to the provisions of the "Statement of change in Immigration Rules," Cmnd. 9914, to distribute widely information about the requirements of visa applications written in local languages; what consideration has been given to extending independent advice facilities overseas; of the sort provided by the United Kingdom Immigration Advisory Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarA Home Office leaflet explaining how the recent statement of change in immigration rules affect nationals of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is being sent to all entry clearance issuing posts for reprinting in the local language as necessary. Any extension of independent advice facilities overseas is a matter for the agencies concerned.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement explaining more fully the criteria to be observed by British entry clearance officers overseas in deciding whether visa applications by those wishing to visit the United Kingdom fall within the categories of compassionate, medical or other particularly compelling circumstances; and if he will identify what documentation entry clearance officers will require to make such judgments.
§ Mr. EggarApplications for visit visas in the subcontinent are at present normally dealt with on the day they are received. Because circumstances vary from case to case no detailed criteria are laid down, nor is essential documentation defined, in connection with cases requiring a higher degree of urgency.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the minimum and maximum cost of appointing extra entry clearance officers in Dhaka, Accra, Islamabad and Karachi.
§ Mr. EggarThe estimated average costs (that is, allowing for marital status and other factors) based on 1986–87 prices are:
£ Dhaka 76,600 Accra 106,300 Islamabad 89,000 Karachi 104,400
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs during what hours each day British posts in Dhaka, Islamabad, Karachi, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, New Delhi and Accra are open to receive personal calls related to visa applications; on which days during each year each post is shut; what arrangements are being made for staffing of entry clearance offices to ensure the taking of holiday leave does not increase the time taken to consider visa applications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarThe information requested is as follows:
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Post Hours open to public Dhaka 0730 to 1400 Islamabad 0800 to 1230 Karachi 0800 to 1230
Post Hours open to public Bombay 0800 to 1130 Calcutta 0900 to 1230 Madras 0900 to 1230 New Delhi 0900 to 1230 Accra 0745 to 1145 Posts are instructed as far as possible to ensure that officers take leave outside the seasonal peak period for which, at all posts, additional summer relief staff are provided to cope with increased demand.
I shall write to the hon. Member about the public holidays taken by each post.