§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his best estimate of the cost of measuring the average waiting time of sponsors living in the United Kingdom in relation to applications from relatives living in the Indian sub-continent at his Department's Birmingham office over(a) a three month period and (b) a 12 month period; and if he will outline the basis on which this estimate is made.
§ Mr. RentonI refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to her questions on 29 June, at column234, and 14 July, column 329. The cost of measuring the average waiting time over any period would include the resources involved in examining files at the port, in various parts of Lunar house and in transit to and from entry clearance posts abroad. I am satisfied that it would be disproportionate.