HC Deb 17 April 2002 vol 383 cc942-3W
Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in how many cases in the last six months the high commission in Uganda has refused to see people who had interviews; how entry clearance officers at that high commission handle appointments; and if he will make a statement. [48893]

Mr. Bradshaw

In response to the events of 11 September, and in the light of the specific security situation in Uganda, access to the visa section at the British high commission premises can only be granted to people who hold satisfactory evidence of their identity. I regret the need for this requirement but it is temporary, for the safety of our staff and members of the public and is necessary and proportionate in response to the perceived threat.

Satisfactory identity documents are: a valid national passport, a verified refugee document issued by the Directorate of Refugees of the Office of the President of Uganda, a verified laissez-passer issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

No record has been kept of the numbers of people who had appointments and who have not been able to enter the high commission. However, many of the applicants affected are relatives seeking family reunion with refugees who have settled in the UK, and others.

Around 360 family reunion cases are outstanding in Kampala. Few of these applicants appear with satisfactory evidence establishing their identity or relationship with the sponsor in the UK and they have to be referred to the Directorate of Refugees or UNHCR.

Following necessary inquiries with the Home Office, applicants who hold satisfactory documents of identity are offered the next available date for interview. In cases involving couples with children, if after the interview the applicant has still not been able to satisfy the entry clearance officer about the claimed relationship, DNA testing may be offered to avoid unnecessary refusal. Priority will be granted to applicants in cases involving genuine compassionate circumstances. Applicants unable to attend pre-arranged appointments as a result of the restrictions currently in place will be afforded priority consideration once the restrictions have been lifted.

The security situation is kept under review and further announcements will be made if and when it changes.