§ Mr. Alexander W. Lyonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the post in Delhi is referring to the Home Office 30 per cent. of applications for settlements from wives and children, that in Islamabad is referring 30 per cent. and that in Dacca is referring 55 per cent. in view of the fact that instructions were given in 1975 that no cases should be referred except in the most extreme circumstances.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe Question rests on an assumption that, of all cases dealt with, all those listed as "Referred/ Deferred for Enquiries" in my hon. Friend's Written Reply on this subject of 10th February—[Vol. 925, c.818–22]—were referred to the Home Office. In fact, only a small proportion of cases was referred to the Home Office; in 1976 between 90 and 97 per cent. of all cases were dealt with by the post concerned.
§ Mr. Alexander W. Lyonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the cases referred to the Home Office, in the answer of the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Official Report, 10th February 1977, c. 818, were granted, refused or further deferred.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo separate record is kept of the outcome of cases referred to the Home Office by posts overseas, and the information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.