Immigration (Hansard, 17 October 1989)

§ Mr. Darling
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were waiting for special quota vouchers in (i) India and (ii) East Africa in(a) May 1988 and (b) December 1988; when those issued with vouchers on those dates had applied; how many vouchers were issued in (i) India and (ii) East Africa in (a)

Table 1. Persons applying for a special voucher for entry to the United Kingdom

Number of persons

Country Applications¹ newly received Vouchers issued Applications awaiting decision at end of month

1988 1989 1st Qtr 1988 1989 1st Qtr May 1988 December 1988

India 400 80 600 140 1,800 1,700

Kenya 330 120 300 50 550 520

Tanzania 50 10 40 10 170 60

Malawi 40 10 80 10 40 20

Zambia 110 20 140 10 40 20

Elsewhere 50 10 10 + + 10

Total 980 240 1,170 220 2,600 2,300

+ = 5 or fewer

¹ Including applications subsequently withdrawn or lapsed.

30W

§ Mr. Renton
[pursuant to his reply, of 28 July 1989. c. 1060]: Information for the fourth quarter of 1988 onwards is given in the table; for information for the first three quarters of 1988, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 20 December 1988 at columns 179–80.
1988 and (b) the first quarter of 1989; when those applying can now expect to receive vouchers; and how many applicants there were for vouchers in (i) India and (ii) East Africa in (a) 1988 and (b) the first half of 1989.

§ Mr. Renton
[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1989, c. 1063]: The information which is currently available is given in the tables: 31W

Table 2. Waiting times for persons applying for a special voucher

Months

Country Waiting time to main interview for

Persons interviewed at end of month Persons ap-plying at end of month¹

May 1988 December 1988 June 1989

India² 84 72 24

Kenya 2½ 2 2

Tanzania 1 1 1½

Malawi — ¾ ½

Zambia 1 1 ³1

¹ Data relate to expected waiting times.

² Data relate to non-priority applicants. Priority applicants (ie. widows with a child in the United Kingdom, heads of household aged 65 or over, and special compassionate cases) are interviewed within three months.

³ Estimated.

Table 1. Persons applying for a special voucher for entry to the United Kingdom
Number of persons
Country	Applications¹ newly received	Vouchers issued	Applications awaiting decision at end of month
	1988	1989 1st Qtr	1988	1989 1st Qtr	May 1988	December 1988
India	400	80	600	140	1,800	1,700
Kenya	330	120	300	50	550	520
Tanzania	50	10	40	10	170	60
Malawi	40	10	80	10	40	20
Zambia	110	20	140	10	40	20
Elsewhere	50	10	10	+	+	10
Total	980	240	1,170	220	2,600	2,300
+ = 5 or fewer
¹ Including applications subsequently withdrawn or lapsed.

Table 2. Waiting times for persons applying for a special voucher
Months
Country	Waiting time to main interview for
	Persons interviewed at end of month	Persons ap-plying at end of month¹
	May 1988	December 1988	June 1989
India²	84	72	24
Kenya	2½	2	2
Tanzania	1	1	1½
Malawi	—	¾	½
Zambia	1	1	³1
¹ Data relate to expected waiting times.
² Data relate to non-priority applicants. Priority applicants (ie. widows with a child in the United Kingdom, heads of household aged 65 or over, and special compassionate cases) are interviewed within three months.
³ Estimated.