HC Deb 14 November 2000 vol 356 cc633-4W
Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the average length of time is of applications for(a) residence documents and (b) endorsements given to third country national spouses of EU nationals exercising Treaty rights who have been granted indefinite leave to remain; [137823]

(2) how many applications for residence permits or leave to remain as the spouse of an EEA national exercising Treaty rights were refused on the basis that he believed the marriage to be one of convenience in 1999; [137274]

(3) what the average time was for consideration of (a) applications for residence documents and (b) evidence made by third country national family members of EU nationals exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom in 1999; [137284]

(4) how many applications for (a) residence documents and (b) endorsements by third country national spouses of Community nationals exercising Treaty rights were refused on the basis that he considered the marriage to be one of convenience during 1999; [137279]

(5) what was the average time for consideration of applications for residence permits for EU nationals exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom in 1999. [137285]

Mrs. Roche

This information is no longer recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The way in which the Immigration and Nationality Directorate handles European Economic Area (EEA) applications is currently being reviewed. Once the review has taken place we should be in a position to provide more detailed statistical information relating to EEA applications.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for residence permits were made by EU nationals exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom in 1999; [137276]

(2) how many applications for residence documents by EU nationals exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom were granted in 1999; [137288]

(3) how many applications for residence permits for EU nationals exercising Treaty rights were issued for a period of less than five years, during 1999; [137280]

(4) how many residence documents and evidence of residence were granted to third country national family members of EU national exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom during 1999; [137286]

(5) how many applications for residence documents by third national family members of EU nationals exercising Treaty rights were made in 1999. [137287]

Mrs. Roche

Available statistics do not record separately European Economic Area (EEA) decisions made on applications for residence permits and residence documents and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. During 1999, 7,322 EEA decisions were made, although this figure will include some decisions on applications that were made in late 1998. This figure does not include numbers of persons who have been admitted to the United Kingdom in line with EEA family permits or numbers of those whose applications were made during the end of 1999, but not resolved until early this year.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many EU nationals he estimates exercised Treaty rights in the UK during the period 1 January to 31 December 1999. [137282]

Mrs. Roche

Because of the principles of freedom of movement there is no obligation for an European Economic Area national to hold a residence permit. It is therefore not possible to provide this information.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters were sent to Community nationals in the United Kingdom in 1999 advising them that they were no longer considered to be exercising Treaty rights and should therefore leave the United Kingdom. [137281]

Mrs. Roche

This information is not specifically recorded.