HC Deb 01 March 1978 vol 945 cc234-5W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he allowed Mr. Manolakakis, a convicted illegal Greek immigrant, recommended by a court for deportation to remain in the United Kingdom; whether it was with his authority that a statement was issued from his office stating that Mr. Manolakakis will eventually be allowed permanent residence; and as Mr. Manolakakis is a waiter and there is great unemployment in the catering industry, whether consideration was and will be given to this aspect of the matter.

Dr. Summerskill

As my hon. Friend is aware, cases are considered individually and on their merits.

In this case, Mr. Manolakakis has married a Cornish girl to whom he had been engaged for some months. In consequence, he has a case for consideration under the provision in the Immigration Rules whereby a man, on marriage to a woman settled here, may be allowed to remain.

I have no reason to believe that the marriage is other than a genuine one, and it follows that it is right to give him permission to remain for 12 months in the first instance, in the usual way.