§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
What instructions have been given to the High Commission in Harare regarding the granting of visas to visit or study in the United Kingdom and the political or quasi-political activities of applicants. [HL797]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos)The High Commission implements the rules governing visit and student visas. It and the FCO are working on a watch list of Zimbabwean nationals whose presence here may not be conducive to the public good. The list would be used on a discretionary basis to deny such people a UK visa.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they have taken to consult non-governmental organisations and civil society groups in Zimbabwe and bodies such as the Accountability Commission in London to help determine whether there might be a good case prima facie for refusing certain visa applications. [HL798]
§ Baroness AmosOur High Commission in Harare is in regular contact with NGOs and civil society groups in Zimbabwe.
The High Commission follows immigration laws fully in deciding whether an individual should qualify for a UK visa. In individual cases there may be grounds for additional screening of applicants' backgrounds and for withholding visas if their presence here is considered to be not conducive to the public good.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether consideration has been given to drawing up an advisory list of Zimbabwean nationals to whom, because of their known involvement in crimes of violence and political intimidation, visas to visit the United Kingdom should not be granted. [HL799]
§ Baroness AmosThe High Commission and the FCO are working on a comprehensive watch list of Zimbabwean nationals whose presence here may not be conducive to the public good. The list would be used, on a discretionary basis, to deny such people a UK visa.