HC Deb 12 July 2001 vol 371 cc613-4W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) individuals and (b) organisations giving immigration advice for profit are registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner; and how many such organisations are in the process of registering with the OISC; [3299]

(2) what the planned total expenditure budget is of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner in 2001–02; [3301]

(3) what the projected total income budgets of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner are for (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; [3302]

(4) how many complaints against an immigration adviser have been (a) received and (b) determined by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner since 30 April; [3303]

(5) if he will provide a breakdown of the staff complement of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. [3300]

Angela Eagle

I understand that, as of 10 July 2001, the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) had received 150 registration applications from immigration advisers in business for profit. Of these, 94 were from sole practitioners, of which 55 are now registered, and 56 were from organisations comprising two or more practitioners, of which 43 are now registered. Forty-nine applications are still under consideration; three have been withdrawn.

The OISC total expenditure budget for the current financial year awaits approval by the relevant Minister of State. I will write to the hon. Member

As of 10 July, the OISC had received 56 complaints since 30 April, of which five have been determined.

In addition to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, the OISC currently employs 46 people, broken down as follows:

Number
Casework 21
Complaints 9
Registry 4
Support 12
Total 46

Based on the number of registration applications received so far, it is expected that total income from registration fees this financial year will be around £400,000. This may increase, depending on how many more registration applications are received. Registration fee income is expected to be broadly similar in 2002–03 but this will be augmented by fees from designated professional bodies, which are to be set by the Secretary of State after the first full year of the OISC' s operation.