§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list entry clearance posts that have ceased to use the pre-assessment of entry clearance applications, together with the date on which each post ceased to use the procedure. [131102]
§ Mr. MullinGuidance was issued to all visa sections on 2 May 2002, instructing them to minimise the use of pre-assessment procedures.
Posts authorised to use pre-assessment were advised that it should only be used where applicants clearly lack adequate documentation, to manage queues on days where the visa operation would otherwise be unable to cope with demand, or deal with specific local circumstances affecting limited groups.
1113WSince many posts thus have authority to use pre-assessment in exceptional circumstances, there is no definitive record of those posts which have ceased to use the procedure.