§ 44. Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to reduce the time taken to process applications for entry clearance at British high commisions in Pakistan.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe majority of visit visa applications in Pakistan are processed within 24 hours of receipt. In settlement cases waiting times for interview have been reduced this year following an increase in the number of permanent entry clearance staff and a further streamlining of procedures. I expect that waiting times will shorten still further during the coming year.