HC Deb 13 November 1985 vol 86 cc178-9W
Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passengers who have been temporarily admitted pending further consideration of their cases have been returned at public expense between January and September; and what was the corresponding number for the same period in 1984.

Mr. Waddington

I regret that the information requested is not readily available.

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average delay between the receipt of a letter from a Member of Parliament on behalf of an immigrant or visitor refused at a port of entry and a reply from the Minister.

Mr. Waddington

In the third quarter of this year a substantive reply was sent about 11 weeks, on average, after the receipt of written representations on port refusal cases. This period has increased by about a week since then, reflecting the increase in the number of representations made.

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many passengers from Bangladesh entered the United Kingdom between July and September 1985, compared with the same period in 1984;

(2) how many passengers from Bangladesh entered the United Kingdom between July and September in each of the following categories: (a) ordinary visitors, (b) business visitors, (c) students, (d) returning residents, (e) with entry clearance for settlement and (f) in other categories.

Mr. Waddington

In July to September 1984 a total of about 8,000 Bangladeshi citizens (including returning residents and those given settlement on arrival) were admitted to the United Kingdom. Corresponding figures for 1985 are not available, since the figures of admission of passengers by nationality are not yet available beyond the end of June.

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from Bangladesh have (a) been given temporary admission to the United Kingdom and (b) absconded in each month since January 1984.

Mr. Waddington

I shall reply as soon as possible.

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