§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what co-ordination has occurred between the Foreign Office and his Department over the appeal of Sukhwinder Kaur who was refused entry clearance in New Delhi by Imm ECRO 548/95/5; what is the normal practice in such cases where an appeal is lodged; how soon on average such appeals are heard by an adjudicator; and if he will make a statement. [18673]
Mr. John M. TaylorIt is not the practice of my Department to approach the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about such appeals. Ms Sukhwinder Kaur's appeal was lodged in New Delhi in the normal way. Once the entry clearance officer's explanatory statement of the reasons for refusal has been completed, it will be sent to the immigration appellate authorities in London together with the notice of appeal. Upon receipt of these documents, the appellate authorities will send copies of them to the representatives of both parties in this country.
At present, once the parties have indicated they are ready to proceed, the immigration appellate authorities are able to arrange a hearing, on average, within 17 weeks.