§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the waiting time for travel visas to Britain from each of the immigration offices in the Indian sub-continent.
§ Mr. WhitneyWaiting time in months to first interview, as at 31 May, for applicants in the Indian subcontinent by country are as follows:
vacancies in his Department have been filled through the job release scheme in each of the last three years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. WhitneyOur records show that a total of 30 vacancies in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office were filled through the job release scheme in the three years 1981(11 vacancies), 1982 (14 vacancies) and 1983 (five vacancies).
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any of those working in his Department are young people on the youth training scheme.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe have no young people currently working under the youth training scheme in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employees in his Department are currently allowed day release facilities or other assistance to encourage them to continue their education.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe information is as follows:
Number Day release students 70 Open University students 27 Evening class students 66 Correspondence course students 3 Total 166
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total cost to his Department of assistance given to employees to encourage them to continue their education in each of the last three years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe costs were as follows:
211W
Academic Years £ 1981–82 9,768 1982–83 11,001 1983–84 12,900 These figures are course fees. In addition, financial assistance was given towards the cost of text books, examination fees and travelling expenses.