§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of the Minister for Europe in reviewing individual entry visa applications from the Indian subcontinent, indicating the criteria used to allow previously declined applications. [148510]
§ Mr. VazForeign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have the power to intervene in cases that fall within the Immigration Rules. I will normally intervene in entry clearance applications only following representations from right hon. and hon. Members of this House where there are exceptional compelling or compassionate356W circumstances. I will overturn the decision of the entry clearance officer only where I have been persuaded that the applicant qualifies under the Immigration Rules. I am happy to see hon. Members at the monthly visa surgeries which I hold. Information on visas is available at the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry visas from the Islamabad High Commission the Minister for Europe has personally reviewed since October 1999; and if he will make a statement. [148513]
§ Mr. VazI have personally reviewed 19 visa applications—following representations from hon. and right hon. Members either at a visa surgery or by correspondence—submitted to the British High Commission in Islamabad since October 1999. During that same period the High Commission in Islamabad has considered 76,029 visa applications.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry visas from the Islamabad High Commission the Minister for Europe has approved since October 1999 after they were previously declined by the High Commission: and if he will make a statement. [148519]
§ Mr. VazI have overturned the decision of an entry clearance officer at the British High Commission in Islamabad on 11 occasions since October 1999.I declined to intervene on eight occasions. During this period the High Commission in Islamabad considered 76,029 visa applications. As the hon. Lady knows, the queue lengths in Islamabad have declined considerably over the last 12 months. The Foreign Secretary announced on 11 December the establishment of a new office in Lahore.