§ Sir Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report his latest estimate of the overall cost, including salaries, of maintaining Her Majesty's embassy and consular services in Bangkok.
§ Mr. EggarIn the financial year 1986–87, the cost of Her Majesty's embassy in Bangkok was £2 million. Included in this cost was £126,000 for consular work, and L131,000 for entry clearance work.
§ Sir Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average time it takes for Her Majesty's consulate in Bangkok to issue visas to Thai business men and tourists to visit the United Kingdom; and how the formalities required of British visitors to Thailand compare with those required of Thai citizens seeking to visit the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. EggarAverage times are not available. Visitors who have previously been to the United Kingdom can normally expect visas within 48 hours of application. First-time visitors are normally interviewed. Depending on seasonal pressure, they may have to wait several weeks for interview. Business men demonstrating a genuinely urgent need to travel are, however, given special consideration. Information about the time taken by, and the procedures of, Thai missions in issuing visas to British visitors are not available.