Mr. Ghazanfer Ali

HC Deb 03 February 1997 vol 289 cc505-6W

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement concerning the application for a visit visa by Mr. Ghazanfer Ali; [13909]

(2) when Ghazanfer Ali was released on bail from prison in Azab Kashmiiz; when he applied for a visa to visit the United Kingdom; when his case was referred to the Home Office in London; when the Home Office made a recommendation; what was the recommendation; how many letters he received from hon. Members in support of Mr. Ali's application; if he will identify the hon. Members and on what date Mr. Ali will be required next to appear in court. [13910]

Dr. Liam Fox

It is policy on the ground of confidentiality for Ministers not to comment publicly on individual applications for entry clearance. I wrote to the hon. Member on 23 January giving most of the information requested. I will write again with the answers to the rest of the hon. Member's question.