HC Deb 30 April 1968 vol 763 cc177-8W
Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British visas were issued in countries in Eastern Europe in the past year; how many applications for British visas in these countries were refused in the same period; and what was the average length of time between the date of application and the granting or refusal of these visas.

Mr. Ennals

In the 12 months ended 31st March, 1968, 43,157 visas for the United Kingdom were granted in Eastern European countries and 336 applications

13th October, 1964 to 19th March, 1968 19th July, 1966 to 19th March, 1968 14th November, 1967 to 19th March, 1968
Nationalised industries … … … 20.0 8.8 1.8
Food … … … 13.1 5.1 3.3
Housing … … … 20.6 7.4 1.4
Fuel and light … … … 21.0 10.9 2.1
Durable household goods … … … 7.5 3.2 1.2
Clothing and footwear … … … 6.6 2.1 0.4
Transport and vehicles … … … 12.0 4.5 0.7
Miscellaneous goods … … … 14.1 6.8 4.5
Services … … … 20.0 7.6 1.3
All items … … … 13.6 5.1 1.8

Notes:

1. The items included under the heading "nationalised industries" are:

Coal Electricity
Coke Road and Rail passenger transport
Gas Postal and telephone services.

2. These items are also included in other groups as follows:

Coal, coke, gas and electricity in Fuel and Light, Road and Rail Passenger Transport in Transport and Vehicles, Postal and Telephone Services in Services.

Mr. Speed

asked the Minister of Labour what increase in the Index of Retail Prices she estimates will result from the other price movements, apart from those resulting from devaluation or tax changes announced in the Budget.

Mr. Hattersley

There will be some other price increases apart from those due to devaluation and tax changes but all proposed increases will be rigorously scrutinised against the prices criteria of Cmnd. 3590. It is not customary to publish detailed forecasts of prices.

were refused. Details of the time taken to deal with individual applications are not readily available. But straightforward applications by visitors, including business visitors, which form the majority of cases, are dealt with in about a week; and priority is given where there are compassionate or other reasons for an urgent decision.