§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the figures for the number of staff working on entry clearance at his Department's Istanbul post for each of the years 1978 to 1987.
§ Mr. EggarThe number of staff working on entry clearance at Istanbul was 5.5 each year from 1978 to 1985, six in 1986 and seven in 1987.
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the average time taken to process visa applications at his Department's Istanbul post; and if he will give the number of visa applications currently awaiting a decision.
§ Mr. EggarApplications by foreign visa nationals, except Iranians, are normally processed within a maximum of three days of receipt. There are 1,024 applications by non-resident Iranians awaiting a personal interview and subsequent decision.