HC Deb 03 June 1985 vol 80 cc21-2W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the two questions which the Minister of State, the hon. and learned Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Waddington), referred to on 23 May, Official Report, column 1172, as appropriate for immigration officers to ask in cases which may subsequently lead to the implementation of the primary purpose rule will be asked in every case; and if he will give examples of answers to these questions which will result in (a) acceptance and (b) rejection.

Mr. Waddington

Entry clearance officers will adopt the position set out in the Divisional court's judgment in Vinod Bhatia. They will ask appropriate questions about the relevance of the sponsor's residence here to the purpose of the marriage. As the determination of the immigration appeal tribunal in the same case stated, if the applicant states flatly he would not consider marrying the girl if it meant living in his own country, this will usually be fairly conclusive in determining the primary purpose was to obtain admission.