§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) for those cases of husbands or wives now being heard by the immigration appeals tribunal, how long on average they have had to wait from the appeal being lodged; and how long he expects those applying now have to wait;
(2) for those cases of fiancé(e)s now being heard by the immigration appeals tribunal, how long on average they have had to wait from the appeal being lodged; and how long he expects those applying now have to wait.
Mr. John M. TaylorUnless the adjudicator gives leave to appeal, there are two stages to an appeal to the immigration appeals tribunal against the adjudicator's determination, leave to appeal and the substantive appeal. The average time for the immigration appeals tribunal to grant leave to appeal is 11½ weeks, and 10 weeks thereafter for the appeal to he heard, if leave is granted. Steps are being taken to shorten these times where possible.