§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to prevent some 500,000 Pakistanis entitled under the present law to enter the United Kingdom from doing so; how many applications have been placed with the British embassy in Islamabad for entry certificates enabling successful applicants to come to the United Kingdom; what was the size of the immigration section of Her Majesty's Embassy in Islamabad two years ago; what is it now; and how many additional staff are likely to be recruited during the next 12 months.
§ Mr. LaneApplications by citizens of Pakistan who wish to enter this country are considered under the Immigration Rules (HC 79): I have no reason to suppose that 500,000, or anything like that number, are entitled to enter. In 1972, 12,250 applications for entry certificates were made to the British Embassy in Islamabad and, in the same period, 5,388 entry certificates were issued. These figures include entry certificates for those coming for settlement and those coming for temporary purposes, for example, as students or visitors. The staffing of diplomatic posts overseas is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.