§ Kate HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the processing of applications for indefinite leave to remain in the UK made under the regularisation of overstayers scheme; and when he expects it to be completed. [10558]
§ Angela EagleResources have been invested in the current financial year to identify and process those cases where leave to remain can be granted under existing policy concessions. A dedicated unit within Immigration Casework Directorate (ICD) North has now been trained, and has already sifted and taken action on 600 applications. During the next financial year (2002–03) more caseworkers and resources will be devoted to the consideration of the remaining cases. The target date for the completion of all considerations is April 2003.