HC Deb 19 December 1974 vol 883 cc574-5W
Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average delay experienced by applicants seeking to join members of their families in the United Kingdom in obtaining interviews with the British High Commission in India and Pakistan; and what steps he proposes to take to speed the procedure.

Mr. Ennals

The normal waiting period on 30th November was as follows:

Pakistan (Islamabad and Karachi) 21 months
India (New Delhi) 14 months
(Bombay) 11f¼ months

We have taken the measures indicated in my reply of 27th November—[Vol. 882, c. 413.]—to my hon. Friends the Members for Ealing, Southall (Mr. Bidwell) and Birmingham, Handsworth (Mr. Lee). Meanwhile I am keeping the situation under review.