§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements have been made to inform applicants for entry clearance of any charge for entry certificates; if charges will be levied on grant or on application; what extra staff time and other costs are estimated to be required in collection of fees; if people waiting in queues will be charged retrospectively; if charges will apply to minor children; and if where joint applications occur there will be one charge or two.
§ Mr. RentonBritish missions overseas have been asked to give appropriate publicity to the introduction of the fee for an entry certificate. Charges will be levied on application. Extra staff time and other costs are expected to be negligible. Retrospective charges will not be levied. A charge will apply to a minor when travelling on a separate passport. Where dependants are included in the passport of a husband or parent and are travelling together, one fee will be charged.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if unsuccessful applicants for entry clearance will receive a refund of fees.
§ Mr. RentonYes.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if British overseas citizens and British dependent territories citizens will be charged fees for entry clearance.
§ Mr. RentonEntry certificates issued to British overseas citizens and British Dependent Teuitories citizens will attract a fee.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when fees for entry certificates are to be introduced; what consultation he has undertaken with interested organisations; what consultation he has undertaken with the Governments of Commonwealth countries; what information has been issued; and to whom it has been issued.
§ Mr. RentonFees for entry certificates will be introduced from 1 January 1985. There was no consultation with outside bodies before the announcement to Parliament. Commonwealth Governments have been informed.
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§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the introduction of fees for entry certificates will cause any delay for women and children applying for certificates of entitlement or passports.
§ Mr. RentonNo.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received opposing his proposals to introduce fees for entry certificates.
§ Mr. RentonRepresentations on the matter have been made in the House. My Department has received letters from two Members of Parliament and from one immigrant organisation.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the appeal procedure he proposes, if fees are charged for entry certificates, for applicants who are refused clearance on the sole ground of failure to pay the fee.
§ Mr. RentonPayment of the fee will be part of the process for applying for entry certificates. An appeal lies to an adjudicator against the refusal of an entry certificate only where an application has been duly made—section 13(2) of the Immigration Act 1971. No right of appeal exists in respect of any fee at present levied under the provisions of the consular fees order and it is not intended to introduce any additional appeal provisions.