§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to give a substantive reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Hammersmith of 2 February, concerning the case of Mr. Poonawalla Hatimbhai (Home Office Ref.: P336477/2(s)); and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in dealing with this case.
§ Mr. RentonI replied to the hon Member's letter on 7 March indicating that further inquiries into Mr. Poonawalla's case would be required. These inquiries have now been completed, and a decision has been taken to grant the application. The time taken to deal with this case arose from the need to ensure that Mr. Poonawalla's application met the requirements of the immigration rules, and I am satisfied that there was no unnecessary delay.