§ Lord Reaasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there is any facility for Soviet citizens from outside Moscow to obtain UK visas other than by a personal visit to the British Embassy in Moscow.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Brabazon of Tara)Soviet citizens may obtain UK visas either by a personal visit to the British Embassy in Moscow, or, if no interview is necessary, by a postal application.
§ Lord Reaasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many Soviet citizens have applied for visas to visit the United Kingdom in each of the past five years, and whether any applicants have been refused entry.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraThe number of visa applications made by Soviet citizens in Moscow to visit the UK over the past five years is as follows:
Statistics held by other overseas posts, where Soviet citizens may have applied, are not broken down into individual nationalities.
Visas issued Visas refused 1985 11,557 0 1986 12,227 4 1987 10,444 6 1988 10,622 4 1989 Not yet available
§ Lord Reaasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the average number of British consular staff dealing with visa applications from Soviet citizens.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraThe number of British consular staff at the British Embassy, Moscow, dealing with visa applications was increased from three to five in August 1989; hence the average for 1989 was four.