§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what circumstances priority treatment is accorded to applications from immigrants claiming that they are entitled to settle in the United Kingdom; and how many applications were 405W accorded priority in Pakistan in each of the last three years and during the first six months of 1975.
§ Mr. HattersleyPriority treatment is accorded to certain applicants whose cases are so straightforward that they can be dealt with quickly, but otherwise only if there are unusually strong compassionate grounds and it does not unduly delay others. I will arrange for the statistical information to be forwarded to the hon. Member when it has been obtained from the posts.
§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he now proposes to take any action to reduce the time which applicants for entry certificates must wait for an interview with an entry clearance officer in Pakistan when the applicants claim to be entitled to settle in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HattersleyI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State to a Question by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Handsworth (Mr. Lee) on 19th May.