§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people over 18 years, but who had a positive DNA test result when they were under 18 years, are currently waiting for their application to enter the United Kingdom to be processed; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many dependants of men already settled in the United Kingdom, having had positive DNA test results, are currently waiting for their applications to enter the 275W United Kingdom to be processed; and how many of these dependants have been waiting for (a) 12 months and (b) over 24 months.
§ Mr. Renton[holding answer 31 January 1989]: The information is not available in the form requested, and could not readily be obtained.
As regards the age of young applicants, applications for entry clearance as a child under paragraph 50 of the immigration rules must be made to a British post overseas before the child's 18th birthday. Any DNA evidence which is produced before the application is finally determined will, however, be taken into account, whether the tests were commissioned before or after the child's 18th birthday. Applications or reapplications for entry clearance lodged after a child has reached the age of 18 will normally fall to be considered under paragraph 52 of the rules.
The great majority of cases in which DNA evidence has been produced involve applications made to posts at Dhaka and Islamabad. How long an application will normally take to be processed will depend upon in which queue the application is placed. Waiting times at Dhaka and Islamabad in October 1988 were as follows:
Months Dhaka Q1 3 Q2 7 Q3 7 Q4 23 Islamabad Q1 4 Q2 11 Q3 20 Q4 20 Persons seeking admission under paragraphs 50 or 52 of the rules will be placed in whichever is the relevant queue under the following criteria:
- Q1: persons with a claim to the right of abode; special compassionate cases.
- Q2: children under 18 applying for the first time.
- Q3: children over 18 applying for the first time.
- Q4: reapplicants, whether over or under 18.