§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the representations he or Ministers in his Department have received from hon. Members on the case of Mr. Raghbir Singh; and if he will give the political affiliation of the hon. Members. [34956]
§ Mr. HowardTwo hundred and thirty-two letters have been received from 197 Members of Parliament about the case of Mr. Raghbir Singh. One hundred and twenty-five were received from Labour Members, 86 from Conservative Members, 14 from Liberal Democrat Members, two each from Ulster Unionist and Plaid Cymru Members, and one each from Members representing the Social Democratic and Labour party, Democratic Unionist party and the Scottish nationalists. In addition, 16 parliamentary questions and one early-day motion have been tabled by eight Labour Members.
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§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests have been made on behalf of Mr. Raghbir Singh for him to make compassionate or family visits under escort; and how many were agreed to. [34987]
§ Mr. HowardMr. Singh has made two requests to make a compassionate or family visit. On 31 January, he was granted permission to attend his father-in-law's funeral. On 3 June, an application to attend his niece's wedding was rejected.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the average time between the reception of letters over the case of Mr. Raghbir Singh and the issue of replies; and if replies to correspondents who were not hon. Members have been signed by Ministers. [34957]
§ Mr. HowardA full answer is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Correspondence from members of the public is not routinely answered by Ministers.