HC Deb 18 January 1999 vol 323 c337W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the time taken to process applications for the renewal of visas for foreign nationals currently living in the United Kingdom; and what steps he has taken to reduce the time. [65728]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

I regularly receive representations concerning the time taken to process such applications. The introduction of compulsory application forms for most immigration applications has enabled a large number of straightforward applications to be decided quickly. The current computerisation and restructuring of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's caseworking functions is intended to speed up caseworking times. This restructuring is now underway and, until it is completed and the new structures have settled down, the major upheaval involved will inevitably affect processing times.