§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints were received by the British post in Islamabad before 1989 from 837W those applying for entry clearance to settle in the United Kingdom or to visit the United Kingdom concerning priority entry clearance procedures being applied to ministers of religion; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn 1989 many complaints were received by the post in Islamabad from sponsors and Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom about the waiting time for interviews for members of families seeking to join heads of households settled in the United Kingdom. The numbers of complaints was not recorded.
In order to give priority to family reunification cases, the queues were reorganised. As part of that exercise ministers of religion were reallocated from Q1 to Q3. This is the correct queue for applicants wishing to remain in the United Kingdom for more than six months other than those qualifying for Q1; those with a right of abode; applicants with a prima facie claim to British citizenship; aged dependents over 70; compassionate cases; Q2, spouses and dependent children under 18; and Q4, reapplicants.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ministers of religion have applied for visas to enter the United Kingdom at British overseas posts in each year since 1987; and how many were(a) granted and (b) refused.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe information requested could not be provided except at disproportionate expense. The records since 1987 would need to be checked manually at 156 posts worldwide.