§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how long on average(a) fiancé(e)s and (b) spouses now being heard by the adjudicator on appeal against refusal of entry clearance have had to wait; and how long he expects those applying now have to wait.
Mr. John M. TaylorIt is estimated that at present an appeal against refusal of entry clearance to an adjudicator by(a) fiancé(e)s and (b) spouses is on average heard within 16 months of its receipt by the immigration appellate authorities. This period includes the time taken by the parties to prepare for the hearing, which is typically nine months. Hearings can sometimes be brought forward if the appellant so requests and an earlier date becomes available. Steps are being taken to shorten the time taken, wherever possible, for a case to come before an adjudicator.