§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for visas have been received on the grounds of severe hardship, as defined in the Home Office press statement of 29 May, by the high commission in Colombo; and how many have been (a) granted and (b) refused (i) overall, and (ii) to Tamils, respectively.
§ Mr. RentonThe High Commission in Colombo has received a total of 17 applications, submitted on the grounds of severe hardship, all from Sri Lankans of Tamil origin. Sixteen have been refused; the other is to be referred to the Home Office for a decision.
§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of applications for visas made to the British high commission in Colombo since the requirement was introduced; how many have been granted; of these, how many have been granted to Tamils; and how many applications are currently pending.
§ Mr. RentonThe number of applications for visas received by the High Commission between 30 May and 14 June inclusive was 698, of which 542 were granted. Of those granted 175 were for Sri Lankans of Tamil origin. Thirteen applications are currently pending.