§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he estimates will be the maximum and the average cost of sending a visa or immigration officer to India as a result of the Government's new visa requirements; how many such officers he expects to send to India; and what will be the total cost of the training and sending of such officers to India.
§ Mr. EggarThe maximum cost of posting an entry clearance officer to India is £126,000 per year based on 1986–87 prices. (This relates to Bombay where costs are highest.) The average cost is £121,800. Twelve additional entry clearance officers are being sent to India at a total 917W cost of £1.46 million at 1986–87 prices. Initially there will be no additional training costs because experienced immigration officers are being sent to posts.
§ Mr. Knowlesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the costs of the new visa regimes will be met.
§ Mr. EggarOur objective is to meet these costs from the fees charged for visas, though it may not be possible to do this in the first year. Visa fees are currently under review in the normal way.