HC Deb 16 February 1999 vol 325 cc657-8W
Sir Norman Fowler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the scale of abuse of the immigration system by those entering into marriages as a means of obtaining settlement in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [71654]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Precise figures to reflect the use of a sham marriage to obtain settlement in this country are not readily available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. The perception of some agencies most involved in tackling this abuse is that it is considerable and widespread.