§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 January concerning Mansoor Hussain Qureshi—Ref: K051037—Official Report, column 157, when Mr. Qureshi was refused entry clearance to join his wife in the United Kingdom; what representations have been received at the British post in Karachi by Mr. Qureshi's representatives; what is the average time taken by the post in Karachi in preparing explanatory statements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMr. Qureshi was refused entry clearance to join his wife on 15 April 1992.
The Deputy High Commission in Karachi received representations from Chans and Co., immigration consultants, in February 1992; from Bradford law centre on 19 November 1992 and 14 January 1993; and from Ruth Budney and Co, in December 1992.
The average time taken by the deputy high commission in Karachi in preparing explanatory statements is, 12 weeks from receipt of the completed appeal forms.
As the hon. Member may know, it has only recently come to light that Mr. Qureshi's appeal forms never 467W reached the post in Karachi. However, now that they have received proof of posting from Bradford law centre, they have agreed to act as if the appeal had been submitted in time.