§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make statement on the(a) DNA testing requirements, (b) DNA testing procedures and (c) the (i) normal and (ii) maximum 311W permitted timescales in respect of each stage of that procedure, for a child applying to be reunited under a family reunification application with a parent resident in the UK, where that child is resident in(A)Pakistan and(B)another country. [161226]
§ Mr. MullinThe Government's DNA testing scheme for entry clearance applicants is available on a voluntary basis wholly paid for by UK visas. It is used to establish family relationships in cases where other factors in an application have led the Entry Clearance Officer to doubt that the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor is as claimed.
A UK based firm is contracted to carry out the DNA tests on receipt of samples from the applicant and the sponsor in the UK. The applicant's sample is obtained by a qualified medical practitioner appointed by the visa section in the presence of a member of staff from our overseas diplomatic post. The UK sponsor's sample is obtained by an approved haematologist in the UK.
There are no set timescales for obtaining the samples from an applicant or sponsor. Timescales vary according to a number of factors, including the availability of the applicant or sponsor to provide a sample. The UK based firm is contracted to complete and return test results within 35 days of receipt of the samples. There are currently twice weekly sample collecting sessions at our High Commission in Islamabad, dealing with 80 to 90 applicants at each session. Sponsors are responsible for organising their own DNA sample collection in the UK. In 90 per cent. of cases worldwide, the test results are processed in the UK within 15 days of receipt of both samples. There is no separate breakdown for individual countries.