HC Deb 06 March 1978 vol 945 cc492-3W
Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average waiting time for: (a) wives and (b) fianc?es from the Indian sub-continent requiring entry permits.

Mr. Luard

Wives in the Indian subcontinent qualify for different priorities for interview depending on whether they are wives of a first marriage with no children over ten, or are wives with older children or second wives. Wives in these categories interviewed on 31st January 1978 had waited as follows:

First wives with no children over 10 Wives with children over 10 and second wives
New Delhi 1 week 5 months
Bombay 4 weeks 14½ months
Islamabad 4¼ months 17¼ months
Karachi 5 months 18 months
Dacca 18 months 21 months

Fiancées coming to the United Kingdom for marriage to a man settled in this country are not required to obtain entry clearance before travelling. Those who do apply are normally seen with very little delay.