§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for entry certificates in respect of Chileans have been outstanding for longer than three months, six months, nine months and one year, respectively: and what action he is taking to reduce the delays in dealing with such applications;
(2) how many requests for entry certificates were received from Chileans in each of the past 12 months.
(3) how many entry certificates were approved in respect of Chileans in each of the past 12 months; and how many were refused.
§ Dr. SummerskillIt is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to say how many applications have been outstanding for a given period. The procedures for dealing with applications for resettlement by refugees from Latin-America are under continuous review and, given the need to establish individual acceptability, applications are dealt with as expeditiously a possible. The monthly figures requested are as follows:
what proportion was accepted; what action his officials undertook regarding such applications at British air and seaports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe number of Cypriots admitted to the United Kingdom and the number refused leave to enter are published in the immigration statistics 455W presented to Parliament each year; but no statistics are available which distinguish between Cypriots by ethnic origin.
Applications by Cypriots for admission are dealt with in accordance with the Immigration Act and Rules. My hon. Friend may find it helpful to consult the Home Office evidence to the Select Committee on Cyprus, which was published with the Committee's report, and the Government's observations on that report (Cmnd. 6579).