§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the computer problems at the United Kingdom post at Islamabad. [6589]
§ Mr. FatchettWe have recently been carrying out urgent work to improve the handling of very large volumes of data held on the computer system in the Visa Section of the British High Commission in Islamabad. Unfortunately, a number of technical difficulties have caused that system to crash several times during that period. This has prevented staff from gaining access to data bases to carry out the necessary checks on applications. We are making every effort to ensure that the system functions properly. In the meantime, the Section is running a restricted service, dealing with compassionate cases and applications for settlement from those joining family already in the UK. We also have in hand arrangements for the installation of a completely new system, which we intend will come into operation within a few weeks.