§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it remains the practice for Ministers to accept written representation from hon. Members in cases where refusal of entry has occurred; what change there has been in this practice; and why hon. Members are advised to telephone the chief immigration officer when letters have been written in such cases to Ministers in his Department.
§ Mr. Charles WardleAs the power to admit or refuse entry to the United Kingdom is vested in the immigration officer, not Ministers, hon. Members are encouraged to contact the Immigration Service direct to make representations. Written representations submitted to Ministers which the Immigration Service has not had the opportunity to consider are sent to the port concerned for consideration. Ministers will become involved only if the hon. Member has new and compelling information which the Immigration Service believes is not strong enough to overturn a decision to refuse entry. The practice has existed since 1989.