§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are waiting to have their application for a resident's visa processed. [102499]
§ Mr. VazI have been asked to reply.
The most recent figures we have show that at the end of October, 8,596 applicants were waiting for settlement visa interviews at the 100 busiest Entry Clearance posts overseas. This figure excludes those applicants waiting in Peking where computer problems have delayed the production of statistical data. The figure also excludes applications referred to the Home Office for a decision; and applications under appeal. During the period January to October 1999, the Posts concerned received 1,314,397 applications for settlement and non-settlement visas for the UK.