§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) spouses and (b) children have been allowed to enter the United Kingdom since he announced that couples who had been separated for five years and couples with children could apply for their cases to be reviewed; how many cases are currently awaiting decision; if he will reduce the current limits to cases being reviewed; and if he will make a statement.
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Number of persons awaiting first interview and waiting times (in months) to first interview2 in the settlement queues in the Indian sub-continent, as at 31 December 1992 and 1993. 31 December 1992 31 December 1993 Queue3 Number awaiting first interview Waiting time to first interview (months) Number awaiting first interview Waiting time to first interview (months) Bangladesh (Dhaka) Queue 1 522 3 5— 5— Queue 2 1,830 6 5— 5— Queue 3 252 7 5— 5— Queue 4 293 9 5— 5— India (Bombay) Queue 1 — — — — Queue 2 124 4 90 4 Queue 3 351 7 304 7 Queue 4 239 10 268 10 India (New Delhi) Queue 1 — — 1 — Queue 2 298 3 305 3
§ Mr. Charles WardleI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the changes to the operation of the primary purpose rule in June 1992.
Information on total acceptances for settlement of spouses and children in the 12 months ending 30 June 1993 is published in table 3 of the Home Office statistical bulletin issue 33–93 "Control of Immigration: Statistics—First and Second Quarters 1993". It is planned to publish information for the second half of 1993 around the end of April.
The available information on cases awaiting a decision is for entry clearance applications in the Indian sub-continent. Information on such applications by spouses and children outstanding at 31 December 1992 is published in table 2.3 of Home Office command paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1992" (Cm 2368). Summary information on such applications outstanding at 30 June 1993 is published in tables 8 and 9 of the bulletin. Corresponding information in respect of entry clearance applications outside the Indian sub-continent, or of applications made after entry, is not separately identified in available statistics.
We have no plans for further changes to the operation of the primary purpose rule.
Copies of the publications are in the Library.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a citizens charter applying to those who are subject to immigration control; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleA number of steps have already been taken to carry through the principles of the citizens charter in the immigration field, including the publication of the Immigration Service (ports) operating plan. The programme is founded on delivering a high quality public service which maintains firm controls on immigration.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, to the latest available date, the numbers in all queues who have applied to all British posts on the Indian sub-continent; what is the current average waiting time in each queue; and if he will list the comparable figures for the same period a year ago.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe information is given in the following table.
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31 December 1992 31 December 1993 Queue3 Number awaiting first interview Waiting time to first interview (months) Number awaiting first interview Waiting time to first interview (months) Queue 3 246 7 207 8 Queue 4 117 10 109 10 India (Madras)4 Queue 1–4 21 0–5 28 2 India (Calcutta) Queue 1–4 — — — — Pakistan (Islamabad) Queue 1 45 3 82 3 Queue 2 844 3 1,257 3 Queue 3 224 6 241 6 Queue 4 901 9 763 9 Pakistan (Karachi) Queue 1–4 1— 1— 1— 1— 1No queuing system is in operation in Karachi as all applicants are contacted by letter requesting specific details before a decision is reached. 2The number of months which the last applicant interviewed had waited for his/her first interview. First-time settlement applicants: 3 Queue 1: persons with a claim to the right of abode. dependant relatives over 70 years old. special compassionate cases. Queue 2: Spouses. Queue 3: Fiance(e)s. other applicants for settlement. Queue 4: re-applicants. 4All applicants seeking settlement are placed in the same queue. 5Figures for Dhaka at 31 December 1993 are not yet available. Waiting times at 30 June was published in table 10 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Issue 33/93, Control of Immigration: Statistics—First and Second Quarters 1993".