Migration and Visa Unit (Hansard, 3 November 1997)

§ Mr. Rooney
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff vacancies there are in the migration and visa unit of his Department; and for each how long the post has been vacant. [13884]

§ Mr. Fatchett
There are no vacancies. Additional staff have been deployed in order to meet agreed targets for response to Members' correspondence.

§ Mr. Rooney
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current backlog of work in the migration and visa unit of his Department. [13883]

§ Mr. Fatchett
Between 1 May and 30 September, the MVCU received 4,801 letters from MPs, of which 307 had not been answered on 1 October.

§ Mr. Rooney
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the migration and visa unit of his Department last met the 15 days quality standard for replies to letters from hon. Members. [13885]

§ Mr. Fatchett
In May 1997, the quality standard was met in over 90 per cent. of cases. Following a substantial increase in correspondence after the election this percentage fell to 41.95 per cent. in September. Extra staff have been deployed to reestablish an acceptable standard as soon as possible.