HC Deb 24 October 1985 vol 84 cc205-7W
24. Mr. Wallace

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the operation of the immigration rules.

Mr. Waddington

We believe that the operation of the immigration rules, which have themselves been approved by Parliament, properly reflects this Government's commitment to immigration control which is firm but fair.

26. Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on changes he has introduced regarding representations by hon. Members on immigration cases.

Mr. Waddington

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question earlier today from the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Torney).

Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of low staff morale, increasing delays in interview casework and lengthening queues of incoming visitors from abroad, he will increase the resources devoted to the immigration service generally and at Heathrow airport in particular; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

I shall reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Shore

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Bangladeshi nationals, applying for visits to the United Kingdom, have been detained prior to a decision being made whether to admit or refuse, for July, August and September, broken down on a monthly basis, compared with the same period in 1984;

(2) how many Bangladeshis have genuinely absconded from temporary admission during the period July to September, compared with the same period in 1984;

(3) how many Bangladeshi visit refusals have resulted in representations from Members of Parliament for July, August and September, broken down on a monthly 5as is, compared with the same period in 1984;

(4) how many Bangladeshi nationals have been granted temporary admission for 10 days or more, on arrival, but on reporting back for their first interview have been refused and detained with no further temporary admission, in the months July to September, compared with the same period in 1984;

(5) how many Bangladeshis have married while on temporary admission after claiming to be here for short visits during the period July to September 1985;

(6) how many Bangladeshi nationals were refused entry for visits at Heathrow in July, August and September, broken down on a monthly basis, compared with the same period in 1984;

(7) how many Bengali interpreters were employed by the immigration service at Heathrow for the period July to October;

(8) what is his policy concerning detaining passengers awaiting decisions on applications for entry or results of representations by Members of Parliament in prison accommodation;

(9) if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a large number of visitors were detained on the night of 4 October in the Queens building, Heathrow, Harmondsworth detention centre and Ashford remand centre and, in the case of at least one visitor from Bangladesh, in a cell at the Northside police station.

Mr. Waddington

I shall reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many hon. Members have currently got a stop on one or more immigration cases;

(2) what proportion of stops is placed by hon. Members on behalf of immigrants or relatives of immigrants resident in their own constituencies;

(3) how many immigration cases are currently subject to a stop;

(4) how many immigration cases have been placed on stop over the last 12 months;

(5) what is his policy with regard to placing a stop on an immigration case when (a) the approach is made by an hon. Member's secretary by telephone and (b) the approach is made by a lawyer stating that he has the agreement of an hon. Member.

Mr. Waddington

I shall reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many visitors entered the United Kingdom from New Commonwealth with Pakistan countries in the last 12 months for which figures are available;

(2) how many visitors left the United Kingdom to a new Commonwealth with Pakistan destination in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr. Waddington

During the 12 months ending May 1985, citizens of new Commonwealth countries or ofPakistan were admitted as visitors, including business visitors, on 684,000 occasions. This figure is based on information submitted by passengers on landing cards at immigration control. Corresponding information on departures from the United Kingdom is not available.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used for computer recording visitors from the new Commonwealth with Pakistan.

Mr. Waddington

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mr. Proctor) on 24 July, column 620. The same criteria are applied to visitors from other countries as to those from the new Commonwealth and Pakistan.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of computer recorded visitors from the new Commonwealth with Pakistan do not leave within the period allocated for the visit.

Mr. Waddington

I regret that the available information does not permit a reliable estimate to be made of this proportion.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now grant exemption from the primary purpose rule to the husbands of women settled in the United Kingdom before 1973, equivalent to that given to the wives of men settled in the United Kingdom before 1973.

Mr. Waddington

No.