§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply of 18 December 1985, Official Report, column 176, how he intends to proceed with the discussions about representations made by right hon. and hon. Members in immigration cases.
§ Mr. HurdDraft guidelines have been prepared setting out proposals for the practice to be followed in the general run of immigration cases, and a copy of the draft guidelines has been placed in the Library.
The objective of these proposals is to assist right hon. and hon. Members to carry out their responsibilities on behalf of their constituents in a way which is compatible with an effective and efficient immigration control in accordance with the Immigration Act 1971 and the immigration rules which have been approved by Parliament. The guidelines provide a facility for right hon. and hon. Members to obtain the facts relating to a decision to refuse entry quickly so that they can decide whether there is a case for making substantive representations. At the same time the guidelines seek to set sensible time scales within which representations should be made.
My hon. and learned Friend is writing to a number of right hon. and hon. Members, whom we know to be closely involved or interested in these matters, inviting their views on the guidelines proposed but the views of all 397W hon. Members will be welcomed. The House will have an opportunity to debate the proposals before new guidelines become effective.