§ Mr. John Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long wives and children of persons already settled in the United Kingdom have to wait for an interview at the High Commission in Dacca, New Delhi, and Islamabad in order to join their husbands in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. LuardWives and children interviewed on 30th November 1977, the latest date for which information is available, had waited 18 months in Dacca, five and three-quarters months in Delhi, and sixteen and a half months in Islamabad for their interviews.
§ Mr. John Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 792W Affairs what steps he is taking to shorten the waiting time for people on the Indian Sub-Continent who wish to join their relatives in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. LuardWaiting times were considerably reduced in the Indian Sub-Continent following staff increases in 1975 and 1976. Manpower constraints prevent us from making further increases, but staff have recently been redeployed to help posts where the workload is greatest. Further transfers are under consideration. The continuing high level of applications at certain posts rules out any dramatic overall reduction in waiting times.