HC Deb 26 January 2004 vol 417 cc59-60W
Sarah Teather

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many interviews were conducted by the British High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan for entry clearance for settlement purposes in each month in the last two years. [149885]

(2) how long it took on average in 2003 for a person applying for entry clearance for settlement to be granted an interview; [149887]

Mr. Mullin

The table shows the number of interviews for entry clearance applications for settlement, conducted at our High Commission in Islamabad in each month during 2002 and 2003.

Settlement interviews conducted in 2002 Settlement interviews conducted in 2003
January 1,607 Nil
February 758 Nil
March 1,065 Nil
April 1,296 Nil
May 697 Nil
June Nil Nil
July Nil Nil
August Nil Nil
September Nil Nil
October Nil 196
November Nil 123
December Nil 164

Due to security concerns at the High Commission, three partial evacuations of staff were carried out between October 2001 and May 2002 and only essential staff remained in post by 8 June 2002. Although the number of entry clearance staff in post increased significantly during 2003, the Visa Section's ability to offer applicants an interview has been severely disrupted over the past two years.

During 2002 entry clearance interviews for applicants wishing to settle in the UK were only conducted from January to 21 May. During 2003 interviews for non-settlement applications resumed on 1 June, although interviews for settlement did notresume until 1 October 2003, since when the average wait for interview has been 10 working days. During 2004, 63 interviews are recorded as being conducted up to 20 January.

Sarah Teather

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people are waiting to be granted an interview by the British high commission in Islamabad for entry clearance for settlement purposes. [149888]

Mr. Mullin

As at 20 January 2004, 62 people had scheduled appointments for settlement interviews up to 10 February. A further 66 applicants were waiting for their interview appointments to be arranged.