Written question asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Thursday, 27 March 2008.

Families: Foreign Spouses

Question: Whether it would be compatible with enjoyment of the right to family life without discrimination, protected by Articles 14 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998, to prevent British citizens from being joined in this country by their foreign spouses unless their spouses were fluent in the English language.

Answer: The consultation papers Marriage to Partners from Overseas and Marriage Visas: Pre Entry English Requirement for Spouses were launched on 5 December 2007. The first consultation contains proposals to raise the minimum age to which you can sponsor a person from overseas for a marriage visa from 18 to 21. The same age increase would apply to the person being sponsored. The latter consultation examines the case for introducing a pre-entry language requirement for those applying for a spouse visa and planning to settle in the UK including what the level of English proficiency should be. The consultation period for these proposals concluded on 27 February 2008 and we are now assessing the responses. Careful consideration will be given to the compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 as the proposals are taken forward.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 700 c115-6WA; 2497
Session: 2007-08
Subjects: Age European Convention on Human Rights Immigration controls English language Marriage Married people Visas
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk