Immigration and Nationality Directorate

HC Deb 14 May 1999 vol 331 c234W

Mr. Norman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the procedures are for informing applicants of exceptional delays in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.[84270]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The recent disruption to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's (IND) caseworking operation has meant that some applications are taking longer to process than would normally be the case. A number of measures have been taken to alert applicants. Letters, warning of possible delays, together with an explanatory leaflet, are now enclosed with all application forms. Leaflets have also been distributed widely among representatives, user groups and agencies in order to publicise the changes in IND as widely as possible.