HC Deb 21 November 1978 vol 958 cc542-3W
Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is the current waiting time between application and interview at the high commission in New Delhi for finances of British residents who wish to enter the United Kingdom for marriage;

(2) what is the current waiting time for interviews at the British Embassy in Islamabad in respect of fiancés of British residents; and how this compares with the position one year previously and four years previously;

(3) how the current waiting time for interviews at the high commission in New Delhi in respect of fiancés of British residents compares with the position one year and four years previously.

Mr. Luard

The waiting time (in months) for a male fiancé interviewed on 30th September was as follows:

1978 1977 1974
Islamabad 21¾ 15½ *
New Delhi 9½ 6½ *
* See below.
The rule allowing male fiancés to enter the United Kingdom for marriage only came into force on 27th June 1974. On 30th September 1974 no records were yet being kept for this category.