§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Prime Minister if she will establish an inquiry into co-ordination on immigration matters between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office, in the light of a letter from the (ion. Member for Bradford, West, dated 1 March from the Secretary of State for the Home Department that the application by Mr. Bahad Singh for entry clearance to the United Kingdom, ref. S656383/4, was being considered after being passed to him by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and a letter to the hon. Member for Bradford, West from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, dated 17 February, ref. GV100/5098, saying that the British deputy high commissioner in Bombay was unable to trace any such applications and if she will indicate when she expects that a decision will be reached on Mr. Singh's application.
§ The Prime MinisterMr. Singh lodged his application with the British High Commission in New Delhi, not Bombay as the hon. Member believes. It was this initial error which contributed to the seemingly contradictory letters received from the two Departments. The letter sent to the hon. Member on 1 March, from the Home Office should have clarified the position and the Home Office will review its procedures, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with a view to preventing such misunderstandings in the future.
Mr. Singh's application was refused in July 1988. He has appealed against the decision and his case will be heard by the appellate authorities in due course. The relevant Minister at the Home Office will shortly be writing to the hon. Member about this case.