Mr. MalinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of applicants' passports held at the Immigration and Nationality Department awaiting a decision; what arrangements he will make for temporary travel documents to be issued for those whose applications are delayed as a result of reorganisation at IND; and what proposals he has for offering compensation to those who are disadvantaged as a result of the delays. [76615]
§ Mr. Mike O'Brien[pursuant to his reply, 18 March 1999, c. 720-22]: There are approximately 139,000 cases awaiting action in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, of which approximately 22,000 contain passports. Travel Documents will be issued only to people who have valid leave to remain in the United Kingdom. It is, therefore, not possible to issue documents where an application for leave remains outstanding, although passports will be returned to applicants where they need to travel. Compensation will be paid only in cases of maladministration where the costs are reasonable and have been actually and necessarily incurred; each case will be treated on its merits.