HC Deb 20 February 1989 vol 147 c504W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the British authorities in Karachi first contacted his Department about Mrs. AL, wife of MY, reference IMP Y53167/3(5); when she was interviewed; what other steps were taken by his Department in processing this case; and when the case was finally referred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mr. Renton

[holding answer 17 February 1989]: The entry clearance officer in Karachi referred Mr. Mohammed Yousuf's application to the immigration department on 20 January 1987. The Department wrote to Mrs. Limbada on 19 February 1987 and in the light of her response concluded that an interview was necessary. Owing to a combination of pressure of work and Mrs.Limbada's absence from the United Kingdom it did not prove possible to arrange an interview until 10 August 1988. The interview report was sent to the entry clearance officer shortly afterwards. Due to an oversight, however, the entry clearance officer was not asked to reach a decision on the application until 25 February 1989. Following a re-interview of Mr. Yousuf on 12 February, the entry clearance officer decided to refuse the application.