§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action a person with a visa to visit the United Kingdom is required to take in the United Kingdom if they wish to extend their permission to visit the United Kingdom; if representations from hon. Members will be considered in such a circumstance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonA visa holder admitted to the United Kingdom as a visitor may apply for an extension of his stay in accordance with the provisions of the immigration rules. Representations by hon. Members on such applications are taken into account in the normal way.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when a person with a visitor's visa is refused entry to the United Kingdom, what information is given to the passenger about their rights of appeal; in what languages such information is available; whether such a passenger is detained or granted temporary admission pending appeal; what rights to make telephone calls such passengers are given; what information about rights to independent representation is available and in what languages; what independent advice is available to such passengers from independent advice agencies at ports of entry; how soon after entry appeals are held; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonWhen a passenger who holds a valid visa is refused leave to enter the country, he is given a written notice, in English, of his right of appeal, which he may exercise before departure. The immigration service informs the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service of all such cases. If the passenger does not understand English, the notice and the appeal procedures are explained to him in his own language. He has access to a telephone. Under the Immigration Act 1971, a passenger who has been refused entry is liable to detention but most of those who remain here for an appeal hearing are instead granted temporary admission. The hearing is normally a few weeks after refusal.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for nationals of countries subject to visa control, settled in the United Kingdom, who are advised by his Department to obtain visa exemption stamps to avoid difficulties on re-entry to the United Kingdom, to obtain such stamps from immigration officers on departure from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to enable persons travelling abroad to obtain visa exemption stamps at air and sea ports.
§ Mr. WaddingtonImmigration officers automatically stamp the passports of eligible passengers entering the United Kingdom to show that they are exempt from a visa requirement. Passengers whose passports have not been so endorsed on entry or while in this country may obtain exempt endorsement where adequate arrangements can be made to establish exemption.
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§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when an overseas national who requires a visa to visit the United Kingdom arrives in the United Kingdom without a visa, what minimum time they will be allowed to remain in the United Kingdom before removal from the United Kingdom; what access to a public telephone will he given to such passengers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonHow soon it is practicable to remove passengers refused leave to enter the country depends on the circumstances.