HL Deb 15 January 1990 vol 514 c508WA
Lord Rea

asked 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 Rea

asked 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 Tara

The number of visa applications made by Soviet citizens in Moscow to visit the UK over the past five years is as follows:

Visas issued Visas refused
1985 11,557 0
1986 12,227 4
1987 10,444 6
1988 10,622 4
1989 Not yet available
Statistics held by other overseas posts, where Soviet citizens may have applied, are not broken down into individual nationalities.

Lord Rea

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average number of British consular staff dealing with visa applications from Soviet citizens.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

The 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.