HL Deb 17 July 1997 vol 581 cc132-3WA
The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there has been an increase in the number of applications for extensions to stay in the United Kingdom being declared invalid, and an increase in the number of such applications being refused without the right of appeal, following the introduction in November 1996 by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of compulsory application forms for extensions of stay in the United Kingdom.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Following the reintroduction of compulsory application forms, the initial number of applications declared invalid was approximately 50 per cent. Since that time it has fallen to approximately 35 per cent. No separate figures are available for the number of applications that are initially invalid, but are subsequently resubmitted, accepted as valid and later refused without the right of appeal.