§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is now the average time which elapses between an appeal being lodged against the refusal of an entry certificate to an alleged dependant of a resident of the United Kingdom and a hearing taking place before the immigration tribunal; and whether he is proposing to take any steps to reduce that time.
§ Mr. JohnI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. Smith) on 14th November.—[Vol. 958, cc. 136–7.] The Government accept in principle the desirability of reducing delays and the complement of entry clearance officers at Dacca has598W recently been increased to enable the arrears of explanatory appeal statements there to be more expeditiously dealt with. The staffing of other posts is kept under review. Extra part-time adjudicators are being appointed in Scotland, Leeds and Manchester to ensure the most effective possible use of the hearing facilities there.