§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many explanatory statements have been(a) received and (b) dispatched to the Independent Appellate Authority for listing of appeals from the date on which his Department assumed responsibility for the dispatch of explanatory statements following refusal of applications by entry clearance offices in British missions overseas; and if he will make a statement. [48742]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienSince 1 December 1997, 3,625 explanatory statements have been received and 3,194 dispatched. These include approximately 900 explanatory statements processed under the previous arrangements but received after 1 December 1997. I regret that the necessity of dealing with this backlog, together with other administrative problems, which have now been addressed, initially caused delays in dispatch.