§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the explanatory statements relating to(a) Islamabad reference C4694 and (b) Dhaka reference 64550 will be dispatched. [154491]
§ Mr. Vaz[holding answer 19 March 2001]In respect of Islamabad reference C4694, the entry clearance officer wrote to the sponsor's solicitor on 5 March 2001 deferring the application for three months to allow the sponsor to commence UK divorce proceedings to dissolve his first marriage. If evidence of the commencement of such proceedings is provided, the entry clearance officer will review the refusal, with a view to the possible authorisation of a fiancée entry clearance. If such evidence is not received, the entry clearance officer will draft the explanatory statement and the case will proceed to appeal.
In respect of Dhaka reference 64550, the entry clearance officer received the notice of appeal on 12 February 2001 and will despatch the explanatory statement within three months of that date.
§ Ms BlearsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in maintaining the achievement of clearing the backlog of outstanding correspondence on visa matters. [155445]
§ Mr. VazAs Minister responsible for entry clearance matters, I have been asked to reply on my right hon. Friend's behalf. I am very pleased to be able to inform the House that sine my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Warrington, South (Ms Southworth) on 9 January 2001,Official Report, column 508W, the level of outstanding correspondence on visa matters remains at zero.