§ Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the applications made under the regularisation scheme for overstayers have been(a) decided, (b) granted and (c) refused; 424W how many cases are (i) under consideration and (ii) awaiting validation; and when he expects all cases to have been decided. [83471]
§ Beverley HughesA total of 3,379 cases have been decided under the regularisation scheme for overstayers. Of these 2,954 have been granted and 425 refused. As of 22 November 2002 11,936 cases have to be finally determined. Of these 9,114 are awaiting consideration by the Integrated Case Work Directorate North and 2,822 are being dealt with in other areas of the Integrated Case Work Directorate. Considerable extra resources, have now been allocated to the consideration of these cases and it is anticipated that all will have been decided by April 2003.