HC Deb 01 December 1983 vol 49 cc563-5W
37. Mr. Maples

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the procedures under which foreign relatives of British citizens are allowed, or not allowed, to make short visits to the United Kingdom for the purpose of seeing their relatives here were last reviewed.

Mr. Waddington

The provisions of the immigration rules relating to visitors were last formally reviewed before the publication of the White Paper on proposals for revision of the immigration rules—Cmnd. 7750–on 14 November 1979. The representations received on individual cases provide the opportunity to review the way in which these provisions are applied.

43. Mr. Michie

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the workings of the Immigration Act as it affects visitors to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Waddington

Yes.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether identification procedures at ports require entrants to the United Kingdom to give an English equivalent of their name where that name is not in the English language; and whether there are any special provisions relating to people whose names are in the Irish language.

Mr. Hurd

Under the Immigration Act 1971, persons subject to examination at points of entry are required to produce evidence which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality or citizenship, and to provide such information in their possession as the person carrying out the examination may require. There are similar provisions in the Prevention of Terrorism (Supplementary Temporary Provisions) Order 1976. There are no specific provisions about English equivalents of names.

Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he takes to ensure that there is no undue delay in granting certificates of entry to foreign citizens wishing to carry on business in the United Kingdom and to those persons of independent means who wish to invest in business in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Waddington

Instructions are issued to officials about the handling of such applications. The aim is to deal expeditiously with these, as with all cases, but they can be more complex and difficult to decide than others and may require further inquiries to be made. These can take some time to resolve. Where action on any case is seriously delayed there are arrangements to ensure that this is brought to the attention of a more senior officer.

If my hon. Friend has an individual case in mind, and will let me have the particulars, I shall be glad to look into it.

Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average period between the receipt by a British mission overseas of an application to enter the United Kingdon as a person of independent means and the decision on such application.

Mr. Waddington

I regret this information is not available.

Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a person permitted to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor, who can show while in the United Kingdom that he is otherwise qualified to enter as a person of independent means, is obliged to leave the United Kingdom before applying to enter as a person of independent means.

Mr. Waddington

Under the immigration rules—HC 169: 9 February 1983–a person seeking entry as a person of independent means must hold a current entry clearance issued to him for that purpose. The rules state that an application from a visitor to remain for a purpose for which an entry clearance is required is to be refused. whether discretion might exceptionally be exercised outside the rules depends on all the circumstances of an individual case.

Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a person who has been allowed to enter the United Kingdom as a person of independent means is required to leave the United Kingdom and to apply for entry from abroad if he subsequently wishes to invest in and carry on a business in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Waddington

The immigration rules state that people given leave to enter or remain in some other capacity have no claim to establish themselves here for the purpose of setting up in business or self-employment and applications for leave to remain for these purposes are to be refused. However, applications from persons of independent means who have not yet been granted settlement, and who wish to remain as business men or in self-employment may exceptionally be granted, provided the applicant can clearly show that he would qualify for entry clearance to come here in the proposed category if he were abroad.

Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a person admitted to the United Kingdom as a person of independent means who has satisfied the immigration authorities that he has adequate funds at his disposal in this country is barred from using such funds for the purpose of investment in property or business in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Waddington

No, provided he continues to meet the requirements of the immigration rules relating to persons of independent means and is not himself engaged in running a business or businesses.

Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were permitted to enter the United Kingdom as person, of independent means and how many applications in this category were refused, for each of the past five years.

Mr. Waddington

The information requested is not available.