§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the outcome of his Department's discussions with representatives of the English language school industry about the difficulties experienced by foreign students in obtaining entry to the United Kingdom to study English.
§ Mr. Renton[holding answer 14 November 1988]: Home Office officials have regular contact with various
Applications for a visit entry clearance1 to the United Kingdom Number of persons New Delhi Bombay Calcutta Karachi Islamabad Applications newly received2 1980 2,250 5,140 3,020 1,820 1,820 1981 2,070 4,600 2,360 1,680 1,700 1982 1,510 3,370 1,620 1,210 1,320 1983 1,180 2,450 1,210 1,140 750 1984 1,030 2,160 1,010 930 760 1985 680 1,380 850 690 520 1986: January to September 940 1,350 1,000 400 430 October to December 7,560 7,920 1,110 5,400 5,350 1987 38,700 40,660 7,240 25,270 31,590 1988: January 1,770 1,320 190 940 1,580 February 2,270 1,890 260 1,250 1,710 March 3,080 3,430 430 1,810 2,360 April 4,080 6,080 880 2,020 2,270 May 6,190 5,730 1,160 3,300 3,150 June 5,000 5,240 780 5,030 4,770 Applications refused initially3 1980 270 320 30 160 230 1981 160 170 20 100 160 1982 190 90 10 50 90 1983 140 80 + 50 40 1984 120 50 + 40 40 1985 80 50 + 20 40 1986: January to September 90 30 10 10 20 October to December 360 100 + 290 440 1987 3,620 1,100 90 2,130 5,230 1988: January 180 70 10 120 400 February 270 80 10 130 510 March 350 110 + 200 580 April 320 100 10 240 490 May 380 90 20 260 570 June 450 130 20 340 860 += 5 or fewer. 1Since 15 October 1986 citizens of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan wishing to visit the United Kingdom have been required to obtain a visa before setting out. Before that date an entry clearance was optional. 2Including applications subsequently withdrawn. 3Some applications refused initially are subsequently granted on appeal.