HC Deb 26 October 2000 vol 355 c206W
Mr. Winnick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received over the proposed sum to be paid by those who will wish to lodge an appeal against the refusal of a visitor's entry certificate. [134423]

Mrs. Roche

We have received representations expressing concern about the level of the fees from seven Members of Parliament and from the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux.

This summer, we consulted 36 organisations and individuals on the terms of the Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) Regulations. Six of the 10 respondents asked us to reconsider the charges. In partnership with the Lord Chancellor's Department, we addressed these concerns by reviewing the estimated costs of these appeals and reducing both fees, in the case of a disposal on the papers by nearly 50 per cent.

Mr. Winnick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consult further over the amount to be paid by those who will wish to lodge an appeal against the refusal of a visitor's entry certificate. [134424]

Mrs. Roche

We will conduct a review of the family visit visa appeal scheme in due course. The terms of that review have not yet been decided.

Following consultation on the proposed Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) Regulations, we reduced the fee for appealing. The reduction was nearly 50 per cent. in the case of paper disposals, which we expect to form the majority of cases. We will need to assess how the current arrangements are working before we consider changing them again.

Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place the responses to the consultation document Refusal of Entry to the United Kingdom on Grounds of Criminal Conviction in the Library; what action he plans to take to amend the relevant immigration rules in the light of the consultations; and if he will make a statement. [134870]

Mrs. Roche

I refer to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Gillingham (Mr. Clark) on 24 October 2000,Official Report, column 115W.