Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that all applicants for visas at the British high commission in Delhi are granted a formal interview.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMore than 15,000 non-settlement applications have been approved in New Dehli this year without the need for a formal interview. A further 7,000 have been approved after a short informal interview lasting less than six minutes.
All other persons applying for visas have been granted a formal interview. However, prior to an application being formally lodged, if the entry clearance officer has reason to believe that it might not succeed, for example, if forged documentation is presented or the person has previously come to adverse attention, the applicant is given an opportunity to decide whether or not to pursue the application before paying the non-refundable visa fee. If the applicant decides to continue with the application, a formal interview is arranged.