Overseas Doctors (Hansard, 23 June 2004)

§ Dr. Evan Harris
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken to process applications was for leave to remain for doctors from overseas on work permits wishing to work in the NHS in the most recent period for which figures are available. [179807]

§ Mr. Browne
The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

§ Dr. Evan Harris
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken to process an application was for permit-free postgraduate training status for overseas doctors in training wishing to work and train in the NHS in the most recent period for which figures are available. [179808]

§ Mr. Browne
Figures for the average time taken to process individual types of applications are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

§ Dr. Evan Harris
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the(a) cost to and (b) administrative burden on overseas 1421W doctors in training of renewing their permit-free postgraduate training status to enable them to work in the NHS. [179809]

§ Mr. Browne
Overseas doctors here for postgraduate training do not require work permits but must meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules for leave to remain in this capacity. Charging for general leave to remain applications was introduced on 1 August 2003 and individual applicants must pay the requisite fee. The fee is £155 for a postal application and £250 for personal callers who wish to apply at one of the four Public Enquiry Offices.
Fees are set by Treasury rules to recover the full administrative cost entailed in considering applications and no more. We will be reviewing the fee annually and as such consideration will be given to improving the way the charging system is operated and the feasibility of differential charges. We have announced that there would be consultation before any more changes to the fee are made, and the consultation is planned for this autumn.
Since the introduction of charges on 1 August 2003, we have been completing 70 per cent. of postal applications within three weeks of receiving them in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) and are continuing to do this. We may not be able to complete applications within three weeks of receipt if they need further documents, inquiries or an interview, or if they are complex. We should deal with these within 13 weeks at most. If applicants use the right form, pay the correct fee, provide all the required documents and photographs, and sign and date the form, it will help the chances of their application being completed quickly.